Night of ghosts and lightning
Robyn Tallis
Night of ghosts and lightning
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Robyn Tallis
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.
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About This Book
Thunder cracks through the night, and the air smells of rain and something electric. Six friends who met in the shadowy Catalan Mountains now hold strange powers that pulse through their veins. But with Ambora city hanging in the balance, will their newfound strength be enough to stop the coming storm?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows six teenagers who gain mysterious powers after a meeting in the Catalan Mountains. Together, they must protect the city of Ambora from imminent danger. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story combines supernatural elements with themes of friendship and courage.
Why we rated Night of ghosts and lightning 9LE
Night of ghosts and lightning is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 185 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Night of ghosts and lightning works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Night of ghosts and lightning as 9LE ("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, Night of ghosts and lightning explores friendship, adventure, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A 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
- 9780804102025
- Pages
- 185
- Publisher
- Ivy Books
- Published
- 1989
- Type
- Fiction