Place to Hide, A (Strange Matter)
Marty M. Engle
Place to Hide, A (Strange Matter)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marty M. Engle
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Trey and his friends race through the dark forest, desperate to find a new campsite safe from bullies. They spot the eerie silhouette of Widow Hill, an old Revolutionary War fort, but something unseen is closing in fast. Will they uncover the fort's dark secret before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult horror novel follows Trey Porter and his friends as they seek refuge from bullies in a mysterious, historic fort deep in the woods. The story explores themes of friendship and courage while introducing supernatural elements and suspenseful danger. Suitable for teens, it contains mild peril and ghostly themes that may be intense for younger readers.
Why we rated Place to Hide, A (Strange Matter) 9ME
Place to Hide, A (Strange Matter) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 144 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Place to Hide, A (Strange Matter) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Place to Hide, A (Strange Matter) as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Place to Hide, A (Strange Matter) explores horror & ghost stories, friendship, adventure, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about horror & ghost stories, friendship, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781567400137
- Pages
- 144
- Publisher
- Frontline Publications
- Published
- December 1, 1995
- Type
- Fiction