Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Night of the Living Dummy
Robert Lawrence Stine
Night of the Living Dummy
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Goosebumps #7
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
Kris receives her very own ventriloquist dummy and suddenly, strange and spooky events begin to unfold, making her wonder if the puppet has a mind of its own. As eerie happenings multiply, Kris must face the mystery behind her creepy new companion. Will she uncover the truth before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Night of the Living Dummy LE (Mild)
Night of the Living Dummy is written at a Level 3-4 reading level across 134 pages (approximately 23,566 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 5 and up can manage Night of the Living Dummy on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Night of the Living Dummy runs about 2.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Night of the Living Dummy 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, Fantasy Violence, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Night of the Living Dummy explores mystery, family, friendship, 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, family, friendship.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 78 more books in the Goosebumps series.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
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.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0590466178
- Pages
- 134
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- 1993
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 23,566
- Read-Aloud
- ~2h 37m
- Text Density
- Standard