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Field of Screams

Robert Lawrence Stine

Cover of Field of Screams

Field of Screams

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Ghosts of Fear Street #22

by Robert Lawrence Stine

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

What if the baseball field you love hides a spooky secret that only comes alive at night? Imagine hearing strange noises and seeing shadowy figures while trying to win the big game. Can you play baseball when the field itself is screaming?

Themes

Horror & ghost storiesSporting storiesFriendshipAdventure

Quick Assessment

Field of Screams by Robert Lawrence Stine is a middle-grade horror story centered on baseball and supernatural chills, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. The book combines sports excitement with spooky elements, creating a thrilling yet age-appropriate mix of suspense and mild scares. Parents should be aware that the story includes ghostly themes and some moments of tension typical of children's horror fiction.

Why we rated Field of Screams 9LE

Field of Screams is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Field of Screams works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Field of Screams 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, Field of Screams explores horror & ghost stories, sporting stories, friendship, and adventure — 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 horror & ghost stories, sporting stories, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

112 pages
ISBN
9780671008512
Pages
112
Publisher
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books
Published
July 1, 1997
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Horror & Ghost Stories, ChillersSporting StoriesBaseball StoriesHorrorHorror & Ghost StoriesAction & AdventureBaseballHorror StoriesFear StreetBritish and Irish FictionTahitiArtists