Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Mothman's curse
Christine Hayes
Mothman's curse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Christine Hayes
The text is written at a 3rd 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
Josie and her brother Fox are the only ones brave enough to face the mysterious Mothman, a creature that’s been causing trouble in their town. Their courage could save everyone from a terrible disaster, but can they break the curse in time? What will happen if they fail?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Josie and her brother Fox find a haunted camera that ties their town to the Mothman legend and a century-old curse, and they must stop a disaster to save everyone. Expect spooky atmosphere, cursed jewelry, natural disasters, and a menacing Mothman presence, with suspense that is frightening at times but never graphic. Parents should know the story centers on siblings working together and resolves through courage and loyalty.
Why we rated Mothman's curse LE (Mild)
Mothman's curse is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 310 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Mothman's curse on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate Mothman's curse 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Mothman's curse explores families, brothers and sisters, adventure, mystery, and fantasy world-building — 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 families, brothers and sisters, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading 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.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781626720275
- Pages
- 310
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction