Ghost train to freedom
Faith Reese Martin
Ghost train to freedom
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An Adventure on the Underground Railroad
by Faith Reese Martin
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The cold night air smells of smoke and secrets as the whistle of a distant train echoes through the darkness. Suddenly, you’re hurtled back to 1851, feeling the rough wooden floor beneath your feet and the heartbeat of courage all around. Can you help guide those seeking freedom through danger and hope?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows two teen psychics who travel back in time to 1851 to assist as conductors on the Underground Railroad. It combines historical adventure with elements of fantasy, offering a look at a significant period in American history appropriate for ages 9-12. The story handles themes of bravery and freedom with sensitivity but includes some perilous situations typical of adventure fiction.
Why we rated Ghost train to freedom 12ME
Ghost train to freedom is written at a Level 7 reading level across 399 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ghost train to freedom works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Ghost train to freedom as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Ghost train to freedom explores adventure, historical, fantasy world-building, coming of age, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, historical, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781608000142
- Pages
- 399
- Publisher
- Life Reloaded Specialty Publishing
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction