That's the Spirit!
Stacia Deutsch
That's the Spirit!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stacia Deutsch
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
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to solve a real ghost mystery? When Tina Maria Carlos says her family's moving because their house is haunted, Michael, Liv, and Leo dive into the spooky secrets hiding in the shadows. But is the ghost truly real, or is there a trick behind the eerie happenings?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows a group of friends investigating a supposedly haunted house to uncover the truth behind the strange events prompting a family to move. With themes of friendship and curiosity, the story balances spooky elements with lighthearted detective work. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild supernatural content without graphic or intense scenes.
Why we rated That's the Spirit! 9LE
That's the Spirit! is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 112 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, That's the Spirit! works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate That's the Spirit! 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, That's the Spirit! explores friendship, mystery, ghosts, and children's fiction — 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, mystery, ghosts.
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
- 9781496546821
- Pages
- 112
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction