Fantasms
Len Bailey
Fantasms
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Len Bailey
The text is written at a 6th 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
The clatter of giant chess pieces echoes across the smooth marble sea, their immense forms casting long shadows. Danny Ray, the best rodeo cowboy in Oklahoma, rides into this magical battlefield where furry Tantarrabobs scurry and dragonfly princesses flutter. Darkness looms, but with friends like Tuk the hellwain devil and KarooKachoo by his side, the fight to save Princess Amber is just beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Fantasms is a middle-grade fantasy adventure featuring Danny Ray, a skilled rodeo cowboy, who teams up with a diverse group of magical friends to rescue a kidnapped princess and save the kingdom of Elidor. The story blends elements of fantasy, friendship, and imaginative world-building suitable for readers aged 9-12. Parents can expect action and fantasy themes without intense violence or mature content.
Why we rated Fantasms 11LP
Fantasms is written at a Level 6 reading level across 295 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Fantasms works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Fantasms as 11LP ("Light — Physical") 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, Fantasms explores fantasy, adventure, friendship, heroes, and chess — 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 fantasy, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780765309822
- Pages
- 295
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction