Foulsham
Edward Carey
Foulsham
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Book Two
by Edward Carey
The text is written at a 7th 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 sharp stench of garbage fills the narrow alleys of Foulsham, where shadows twist and strange secrets lurk beneath heaps of refuse. Every crinkle of discarded paper and every creak of old wood tells a tale of magic and mystery waiting to be uncovered. In this eerie world, the line between the ordinary and the fantastical blurs, stirring a mix of thrill and unease that lingers long after the last page.
Quick Assessment
Foulsham is a middle-grade fantasy trilogy blending dark, gothic elements with whimsical storytelling reminiscent of Dickens and Lemony Snicket. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of refuse and disposal within a richly imagined, slightly macabre setting. Parents should be aware of its eerie tone and complex language, which may appeal to readers who enjoy atmospheric and mysterious fiction.
Why we rated Foulsham 12LP
Foulsham is written at a Level 7 reading level across 325 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Foulsham works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Foulsham as 12LP ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Foulsham explores fantasy world-building, adventure, and mystery — 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 fantasy world-building, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781468309546
- Pages
- 325
- Publisher
- Harry N. Abrams
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction