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Haunted

Meg Cabot

Cover of Haunted

Haunted

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Tale of the Mediator

by Meg Cabot

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

What if you discovered your new house was haunted by a ghost who only you could see? Imagine trying to solve mysteries and stop dangers no one else believes in. Can you save the day before it’s too late?

Themes

AdventureFriendshipSchoolHorrorSocial Themes

Quick Assessment

Haunted by Meg Cabot is a middle-grade fiction novel blending action, adventure, and mild horror elements suitable for ages 9-12. The story explores themes of friendship, school life, and social challenges, with some spooky moments but nothing too intense for this age group. It’s a fun, engaging read for kids who enjoy a mix of mystery and supernatural adventure.

Why we rated Haunted 11LE

Haunted 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, Haunted works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate Haunted 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, Haunted explores adventure, friendship, school, horror, and social themes — 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 adventure, friendship, school.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Light
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

256 pages
ISBN
9780060294724
Pages
256
Publisher
HarperCollins Publishers
Published
January 21, 2003
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Action & AdventureHorrorSchool & EducationSocial ThemesAdolescence & Coming of AgeParanormal, Occult & SupernaturalGhost StoriesYoung Adult FictionSupernatural in FictionDeathSchools in FictionSuzannah SimonGhosts in FictionSupernaturalHigh SchoolsSchoolsTime Travel in FictionGhostsTime TravelHigh Schools in FictionSchool StoriesScience FictionFantasy FictionHorror Stories

Places

Carmel (Calif.)