What reading level is Diary of a haunting?

Diary of a haunting by M. Verano is at a Level 5-6 reading level (Lexile 820L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Diary of a haunting appropriate for?

Diary of a haunting is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Diary of a haunting?

Diary of a haunting is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Diary of a haunting have any content warnings?

Diary of a haunting has a HootRating of 10ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Diary of a haunting?

Diary of a haunting by M. Verano is 313 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Diary of a haunting

M. Verano

Diary of a haunting

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by M. Verano

Reading Level 5-6 10ME Ages 9-12 Matched

The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.

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About This Book

Paige's hands tremble as the old door creaks open all by itself in the middle of the night. Shadows flicker across the walls of the Victorian mansion, and a chilling whisper seems to call her name. What secret is waiting for Paige in this eerie new home?

Themes

Haunted housesSupernaturalMystery FamilyDiary

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows sixteen-year-old Paige as she relocates to a mysterious Victorian mansion after her parents' divorce. The story includes supernatural and mystery elements suitable for ages 9-12, with some suspenseful scenes that may be intense for sensitive readers. Themes of family change and haunted houses are explored in an engaging diary format.

Why we rated Diary of a haunting 10ME

Diary of a haunting is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 820L across 313 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Diary of a haunting works for readers up to grade 7.5.

We rate Diary of a haunting as 10ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.

Thematically, Diary of a haunting explores haunted houses, supernatural, mystery, family, and diary — 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.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about haunted houses, supernatural, mystery.

Maybe not for

! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.