Haunting
Rodman Philbrick
Haunting
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rodman Philbrick
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
This isn’t just any vacation home — it’s a place where invisible eyes watch every move and the air turns icy cold the moment you arrive. Jason feels it deep inside: this house doesn’t want kids around. But when he meets a mysterious pale child inside, Jason realizes the real haunting is just beginning, and some secrets are darker than they seem.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Haunting is a middle-grade fiction book blending suspense and supernatural themes, suitable for readers aged 9-12. The story follows Jason and his family as they uncover eerie and mysterious events in their new seaside vacation home, with spooky elements that may be unsettling for sensitive children. The book contains mild supernatural scares but no graphic content, making it appropriate for young readers interested in ghost stories and mysteries.
Why we rated Haunting 9LE
Haunting is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 114 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Haunting works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Haunting 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, Haunting explores mystery, friendship, family, supernatural, 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, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The Haunting
Margaret Mahy
The Haunting
Margaret Mahy
Horror
Rodman Philbrick
Horror
Rodman Philbrick
Haunt me
Liz Kessler
Haunt me
Liz Kessler
Haunted House
Jaybie D.
Haunted House
Jaybie D.
Haunting in New Hampshire
Johnathan Rand
Haunting in New Hampshire
Johnathan Rand
Haunted places
Betsy Hoffman
Haunted places
Betsy Hoffman
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781497685352
- Pages
- 114
- Publisher
- Open Road Media
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction