Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Dead is a state of mind
Marlene Perez
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
Some secrets are deadly—and Daisy’s new classmate can see the future! When a teacher is mysteriously murdered just like the prediction said, Daisy must crack the case fast. But what if the real danger is something even stranger than anyone imagined?
Quick Assessment
A gorgeous new student at Nightshade High predicts that a teacher will be murdered, and when the prediction comes true, psychic Daisy Giordano sets out to solve the crime, which seems to point to a werewolf. Expect a campy, lighthearted mystery with mild peril, fantasy violence, a murder at its center, and light romantic interest. Its supernatural elements are playful, and the story emphasizes sisterly loyalty and family support.
Why we rated Dead is a state of mind LE (Mild)
Dead is a state of mind is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 175 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Dead is a state of mind on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Dead is a state of mind as LE (Mild, mostly 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, Dead is a state of mind explores supernatural, werewolves, clairvoyance, family, and high school — 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 supernatural, werewolves, clairvoyance.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780152062101
- Pages
- 175
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- 2009
- Type
- Fiction