Haunting of Henry Davis
Kathryn Siebel
Haunting of Henry Davis
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kathryn Siebel
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if a ghost from over a hundred years ago showed up in your classroom? Imagine uncovering secrets from the past while Halloween is just around the corner. Barbara Anne and Henry are about to dive into a mysterious adventure that could change everything—if the ghost lets them.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel blends humor, history, and ghostly mystery as two kids unravel the story behind a ghost from the 1918 flu pandemic. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively explores themes of friendship and history without intense scares. The story is engaging and appropriate for young readers interested in spooky yet heartwarming tales.
Why we rated Haunting of Henry Davis 11LE
Haunting of Henry Davis is written at a Level 6 reading level across 240 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Haunting of Henry Davis works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Haunting of Henry Davis 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, Haunting of Henry Davis explores friendship, adventure, ghost stories, historical, and humor — 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 friendship, adventure, ghost stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
Haunted houses
Katherine E. Krohn
Haunted houses
Katherine E. Krohn
Haunted
Meg Cabot
Haunted
Meg Cabot
Karen's Ghost
Ann M. Martin
Karen's Ghost
Ann M. Martin
Ghost Cadet
Elaine Marie Alphin
Ghost Cadet
Elaine Marie Alphin
Haunting on Heliotrope Lane
Carolyn Keene
Haunting on Heliotrope Lane
Carolyn Keene
The haunted and the haunters
Kathleen Lines
The haunted and the haunters
Kathleen Lines
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781101932773
- Pages
- 240
- Publisher
- Knopf Books for Young Readers
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction