Ghosting
Edith Pattou
Ghosting
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Edith Pattou
The text is written at a 8th 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 music pounds and laughter fills the room as eight friends pull off a prank that’s meant to be all fun and games. Suddenly, everything changes in a flash—what started as a joke spirals out of control. Who will be okay when the night ends?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This novel explores the consequences of a prank involving firearms that goes terribly wrong during a party among eight teenagers. Told through multiple perspectives in free verse, it addresses themes of life-changing events and the impact of accidents on young people. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should be aware of its treatment of sensitive topics such as firearm accidents and the emotional aftermath.
Why we rated Ghosting 12ME
Ghosting is written at a Level 8 reading level across 423 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ghosting works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Ghosting 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Firearm Accidents.
Thematically, Ghosting explores life change events, firearm accidents, practical jokes, and teenagers — 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 life change events, firearm accidents, practical jokes.
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.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781477847749
- Pages
- 423
- Publisher
- Skyscape
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction