Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark

Name: Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark
Author: Brandon Terrell
ISBN: 9781496573438

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Tale of Terror

by Brandon Terrell

Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia; Michael Dahl Presents

Reading Level 4 LE · Mild · Emotional Ages 9-12 Matched Page-Turner

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.

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About This Book

Malik Jackson is nervous about exploring a spooky, abandoned mansion, especially since he’s scared of the dark. But when a girl he likes joins the adventure, he must face his fears and discover that the shadows hold more than just darkness. This thrilling tale will keep readers on the edge of their seats as Malik uncovers what really lurks in the night.

Themes

Friendship Adventure Coming of AgeHorror

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark LE (Mild)

Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark is written at a Level 4 reading level across 72 pages (approximately 5,934 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

Read aloud, Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark takes about 40 minutes, which fits within a single read-aloud session.

We rate Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark as LE (Mild, mostly 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, Michael Dahl Presents: Phobia #2 Haunted Dark explores friendship, adventure, coming of age, and horror — 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 friendship, adventure, coming of age.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

LE · Mild · Emotional

Emotional

Mild ←

Physical

Mild

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.