Ghost Story Society
Phil Hickes
Ghost Story Society
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Phil Hickes
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 creak of old wooden floors echoes through Shadowhall Academy as a cold breeze whispers secrets in the dark. Lilian and her friends gather, their breath visible in the chilly air, ready to share ghost stories that feel all too real. But when a mysterious book appears, filled with dark magic, what happens next will chill you to the bone—and it’s just the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in the eerie Shadowhall Academy, this middle-grade novel follows Lilian and her friends as they explore ghost stories that come to life, leading to magical but dangerous consequences. Suitable for ages 9 to 12, the story blends spooky fantasy with themes of friendship and courage, while featuring some mild supernatural suspense. Parents should note the presence of dark magic and suspenseful moments, though the content remains appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Ghost Story Society 11LE
Ghost Story Society is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ghost Story Society works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Ghost Story Society as 11LE ("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 Story Society explores friendship, adventure, fantasy & magic, ghost stories, and school & education — 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 friendship, adventure, fantasy & magic.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781805314912
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Usborne Books
- Published
- 2025
- Type
- Fiction