The August House Book of Scary Stories

Liz Smith Parkhurst

Cover of The August House Book of Scary Stories

The August House Book of Scary Stories

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Spooky Tales for Telling Out Loud

by Liz Smith Parkhurst

Reading Level 4-5 Mild (Lvl 2) Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

The wind howls as shadows creep closer around the campfire. Suddenly, a chilling whisper cuts through the night—someone’s telling a story so scary, it might just come to life. But what happens when the tale steps out of the shadows?

Themes

Horror storiesStorytellingFriendshipAdventure

Quick Assessment

This collection features a variety of scary stories specially selected for kids ages 9 to 12, making it ideal for middle-grade readers who enjoy a good thrill. The stories have been tested in educational settings and include performance tips and background information, supporting both reluctant readers and adults working with children. While the tales are spooky, they are crafted to entertain without graphic content, suitable for school and home use.

For Parents

Content Intensity

Level 2 — Mild
Gentle Mild Moderate Intense Very Intense

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril Fear & Anxiety
Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
6
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

144 pages
ISBN
9780874839159
Pages
144
Publisher
August House Publishers
Published
2009
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Horror TalesShort StoriesHorror StoriesStorytellingCollections