Ghosts: a Graphic Novel
Raina Telgemeier
Ghosts: a Graphic Novel
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Raina Telgemeier
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
Cat and Maya race through the foggy streets of Bahía de la Luna, chasing a whispered legend about friendly ghosts. Maya is eager to meet one, but Cat feels a chill of fear she can’t shake. Just as a ghost appears, everything changes—what will Cat do next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This graphic novel follows Cat and her sister Maya as their family moves to Northern California to help Maya’s cystic fibrosis. The story blends themes of family, illness, and courage with gentle supernatural elements appropriate for middle-grade readers. It offers an insightful look at sibling relationships and facing fears in a heartfelt, age-appropriate way.
Why we rated Ghosts: a Graphic Novel 11ME
Ghosts: a Graphic Novel is written at a Level 6 reading level across 256 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Ghosts: a Graphic Novel works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Ghosts: a Graphic Novel as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from emotional weight — 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 mild intensity score.
Thematically, Ghosts: a Graphic Novel explores family, friendship, adolescence, fantasy world-building, and graphic novels — 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 family, friendship, adolescence.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338801903
- Pages
- 256
- Publisher
- Scholastic Incorporated
- Published
- 2021-11-02
- Type
- Nonfiction