In the Shadows
E. J. Shaw
In the Shadows
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by E. J. Shaw
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Eden Matthews can see and talk to ghosts, but she didn't ask for this strange new power. She's got her eyes set on becoming a prima ballerina, yet the spirits around her won't let her live a normal life. And that's only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Eden Matthews, a talented young dancer who gains the unexpected ability to communicate with the dead after a riding accident. Balancing her dreams with supernatural challenges, Eden navigates themes of friendship, identity, and choice. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes mild fantasy peril and some mature themes around spiritual conflict and personal growth.
Why we rated In the Shadows 11ME
In the Shadows is written at a Level 6 reading level across 200 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, In the Shadows works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate In the Shadows as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, In the Shadows explores friendship, coming of age, family, fantasy world-building, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781788034135
- Pages
- 200
- Publisher
- Troubador Publishing Ltd
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction