Haunted
Gareth Stevens Pub.
Haunted
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gareth Stevens Pub.
The text is written at a 4th 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
Did you know some ghosts don’t just scare—they tell stories? Behind every spooky shadow is a secret waiting to be uncovered, but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Haunted is a collection of short stories and novel excerpts centered around ghosts and hauntings, aimed at readers ages 9-12. The book explores classic juvenile horror themes in an age-appropriate way, offering thrilling but not overly frightening content for middle-grade readers. Parents should note it contains spooky elements typical of ghost stories but no graphic violence or mature themes.
Why we rated Haunted 9LE
Haunted is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 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 9LE ("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 horror & ghost stories, juvenile horror / ghost stories, children's fiction, and american — 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 horror & ghost stories, juvenile horror / ghost stories, children's fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780836868241
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Gareth Stevens Publishing LLLP
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction