Hangman's curse
Frank E. Peretti
Hangman's curse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Frank E. Peretti
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
At Baker High, a chilling curse seems to haunt students, causing fear and strange incidents that shake the school to its core. Siblings Elijah and Elisha Springfield, along with their family, dive into the mystery to reveal the truth lurking behind the eerie happenings. Their investigation uncovers secrets that challenge their courage and beliefs.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include animal abuse, animal death, child abuse. Written for readers ages 13+.
Why we rated Hangman's curse 10IP
Hangman's curse is written at a Level 5 reading level across 281 pages (approximately 56,129 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hangman's curse works for readers up to grade 7.0.
Read aloud, Hangman's curse runs about 6.2 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Hangman's curse as 10IP ("Intense — Physical") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Animal Abuse, Animal Death, Child Abuse, Unconsciousness, Jump Scares, Suicide, Suicide Attempt, Self-Harm, Physical Danger.
Thematically, Hangman's curse explores high schools, bullying, christian life, mystery, and detective stories — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about high schools, bullying, christian life.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Veritas Project series.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10IP — Intense — PhysicalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0849976162
- Pages
- 281
- Published
- 2001
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 56,129
- Read-Aloud
- ~6h 14m
- Text Density
- Standard