Dawn and the surfer ghost
Ann M. Martin
Dawn and the surfer ghost
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ann M. Martin
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
There's a secret surfing ghost that only appears at night, and nobody knows who—or what—it really is. Dawn is back in California for a big surfing competition, but soon she’s tangled up in a mystery with a missing surfer and a mangled surfboard. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Dawn as she navigates a surfing competition in California while unraveling the secrets behind a missing surfer and a mysterious nighttime ghost. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, the story blends light suspense with themes of friendship and problem-solving. There is no intense content, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers who enjoy detective and mystery stories.
Why we rated Dawn and the surfer ghost 9LE
Dawn and the surfer ghost is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 151 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Dawn and the surfer ghost works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Dawn and the surfer ghost as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Dawn and the surfer ghost explores mystery, adventure, friendship, detective and mystery stories, and family — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 9-12 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780590470506
- Pages
- 151
- Publisher
- Apple
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction