Ghost host
Marilyn Singer
Ghost host
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marilyn Singer
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
There’s a secret hiding in Bart Hawkins’ house—nine friendly ghosts who’ve agreed to help him win the big game. But there’s a nasty poltergeist causing trouble too, and getting rid of it won’t be easy. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Ghost Host is a middle-grade fiction book about a teenage football player who teams up with friendly ghosts to help him win the championship. The story blends supernatural elements with sports themes and is suitable for ages 9-12. It involves mild ghostly mischief and friendship without any intense content.
Why we rated Ghost host 9LE
Ghost host is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 182 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ghost host works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Ghost host 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, Ghost host explores ghost stories, poltergeists, football, friendship, and juvenile fiction — 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 ghost stories, poltergeists, football.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A 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
- 9780060256234
- Pages
- 182
- Publisher
- HarperCollins Publishers
- Published
- 1987
- Type
- Fiction