In the Haunted House (Carry Along)
Paul Hutchens
In the Haunted House (Carry Along)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Paul Hutchens
Illustrated by Susan Meddaugh
The text is written at a 1st grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The crisp night air smells like fallen leaves and something spooky stirs in the shadows. A brave dog once saved his friends but now rests in a special place that might soon disappear. As the gang moves his grave, they stumble into a secret hideout—can they find courage when danger creeps closer?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader story blends mild suspense with themes of friendship, bravery, and faith. It follows a group of children dealing with the loss of a beloved dog and encountering an escaped criminal while relocating his grave. Suitable for ages 5-8, it includes light peril and emphasizes trust and protection.
Why we rated In the Haunted House (Carry Along) 6LE
In the Haunted House (Carry Along) is written at a Level 1-2 reading level across 1 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 2.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, In the Haunted House (Carry Along) works for readers up to grade 3.5.
We rate In the Haunted House (Carry Along) as 6LE ("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, In the Haunted House (Carry Along) explores friendship, adventure, holidays & celebrations, horror & ghost stories, and faith — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, holidays & celebrations.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
6LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780395720899
- Pages
- 1
- Publisher
- Moody Publishers
- Published
- April 24, 1995
- Type
- Fiction