The dark-thirty

The dark-thirty is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 122 pages (approximately 29,227 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dark-thirty works for readers up to grade 6.6.

Read aloud, The dark-thirty runs about 3.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The dark-thirty 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Fear & Anxiety, Ghosts, Historical.

Thematically, The dark-thirty explores ghost stories, african american history, horror tales, and mystery — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.