The 13th floor
Sid Fleischman
The 13th floor
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Ghost Story
by Sid Fleischman
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Buddy grips the creaking railing as the pirate ship pitches wildly in the storm, waves crashing all around him. Suddenly, the old building’s thirteenth floor vanishes, replaced by roaring seas and shadowy ghosts. Can Buddy survive the past long enough to find his way home?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Buddy Stebbins as he mysteriously travels back 300 years to a pirate ship caught in a fierce storm, where he encounters ghosts, witches, and his own ancestors during a tumultuous time. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story blends historical fantasy with adventure and explores themes of family and courage. Parents should note mild peril and supernatural elements typical of ghost and pirate stories.
Why we rated The 13th floor 11LE
The 13th floor is written at a Level 6 reading level across 228 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The 13th floor works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The 13th floor as 11LE ("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, The 13th floor explores ghost stories, siblings, pirates, time travel, and adventure — 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 ghost stories, siblings, pirates.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The Ghost in the Noonday Sun
Sid Fleischman
The Ghost in the Noonday Sun
Sid Fleischman
Room 13 (Lythway Large Print Children's Series)
Robert Swindells
Room 13 (Lythway Large Print Children's Series)
Robert Swindells
Ghost Detectors Book 13
Dotti Enderle
Ghost Detectors Book 13
Dotti Enderle
Thirteen
Tom Hoyle
Thirteen
Tom Hoyle
Room 13
Robert Swindells
Room 13
Robert Swindells
Last Thirteen
Phelan, James
Last Thirteen
Phelan, James
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780061345036
- Pages
- 228
- Publisher
- Harper Collins
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction