Mary
Hillary Monahan
Mary
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
the summoning
by Hillary Monahan
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
There’s a secret about Bloody Mary that no one’s told you. Jess, Shauna, Kitty, and Anna think they’re safe because they follow all the rules—until the summoning circle breaks and Mary’s angry spirit slips through. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade paranormal fiction reimagines the Bloody Mary legend with a focus on friendship and suspense. Suitable for ages 9-12, it includes mild supernatural scares and themes of loyalty and trust tested under pressure. Parents should note the presence of ghostly elements and moments of tension, typical for the genre.
Why we rated Mary 11LE
Mary is written at a Level 6 reading level across 245 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mary works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Mary 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, Mary explores ghost stories, paranormal fiction, friendship, and supernatural — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about ghost stories, paranormal fiction, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
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
1/10A 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
- 9781423185192
- Pages
- 245
- Publisher
- Disney-Hyperion
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction