Haunted
Judith St George
Haunted
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Judith St George
The text is written at a 4th 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
Alex steps cautiously through the eerie Von Durst estate, shadows flickering as a cold wind whispers secrets. Suddenly, a chilling presence brushes past him, pulling him toward a hidden truth—yet danger lurks just beyond the next door. Who, or what, is really haunting the house?
Quick Assessment
Haunted is a middle-grade mystery novel following 16-year-old Alex as he uncovers dark secrets in the Von Durst estate after a tragic murder-suicide. The story features suspenseful elements and ghostly encounters appropriate for readers ages 9-12, with themes of mystery and supernatural intrigue. Parents should note the book involves themes of death and potential peril, but handles them in a way suitable for middle-grade audiences.
Why we rated Haunted 9ME
Haunted is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 158 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Haunted works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Haunted as 9ME ("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, Haunted explores mystery, ghost stories, detective and mystery stories, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, ghost stories, detective and mystery stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — 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
3/10A 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
- 9780142404355
- Pages
- 158
- Publisher
- Puffin
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction