What reading level is In the dark?

In the dark by Susannah McFarlane is at a Level 5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is In the dark appropriate for?

In the dark is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 10LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.

What genre is In the dark?

In the dark is fiction — Children's stories. Part of the EJ12 Girl Hero series.

Does In the dark have any content warnings?

In the dark has a HootRating of 10LE (Light — Emotional). Content flags include: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is In the dark?

In the dark by Susannah McFarlane is 122 pages (approximately 16,160 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

In the dark

Susannah McFarlane

In the dark

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

EJ12 Girl Hero

by Susannah McFarlane

EJ12 Girl Hero

Reading Level 5 10LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 5th 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

Emma Jacks, known as Special Agent EJ12, faces her biggest challenge yet when the sinister SHADOW agency tries to shut down the solar energy station. Armed with clever code-breaking skills and bravery, she races against time to protect the SHINE network. But even a super spy has to confront the nerves of attending a best friend's sleepover!

Themes

Adventure Friendship Science & NatureCode and Cipher StoriesSleepovers

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 5 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated In the dark 10LE

In the dark is written at a Level 5 reading level across 122 pages (approximately 16,160 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, In the dark works for readers up to grade 7.0.

Read aloud, In the dark runs about 1.8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate In the dark as 10LE ("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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.

Thematically, In the dark explores adventure, friendship, science & nature, code and cipher stories, and sleepovers — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, science & nature.