Legend of the Ghost Dog
Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
Legend of the Ghost Dog
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Elizabeth Cody Kimmel
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.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to move far away to a place where legends come alive? Twelve-year-old Tee and her dog Henry step into the vast wilderness of Alaska, where strange shadows hide old secrets. What mysterious force could be lurking just beyond the trees, waiting to be discovered?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book follows twelve-year-old Tee as she adjusts to life in Alaska with her father and younger brother. The story features themes of family dynamics and local folklore, including a ghostly presence that adds an element of mystery suitable for children ages 9-12. Parents should note the book contains mild suspense but no graphic content.
Why we rated Legend of the Ghost Dog 11LE
Legend of the Ghost Dog 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, Legend of the Ghost Dog works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Legend of the Ghost Dog 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, Legend of the Ghost Dog explores ghost, animals, brothers and sisters, adventure, and mystery — 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 ghost, animals, brothers and sisters.
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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780545391283
- Pages
- 200
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction