The discovery
Marley Gibson
The discovery
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marley Gibson
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.
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About This Book
The faint creak of old wood echoes through the dim attic where a dusty, eerie doll sits watching. A strange chill fills the air as Kendall and her friends focus their psychic powers, hoping to uncover secrets buried deep in history. Can they outwit the dark magic tied to this mysterious doll while facing questions about who they really are?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in a suspenseful middle-grade fiction backdrop, this story follows Kendall, a high school senior, and her friends as they explore psychic abilities to confront an evil doll linked to voodoo and the Civil War era. The book touches on themes of identity and supernatural elements appropriate for ages 9-12, with some mild spooky content. Parents should note the presence of ghostly and voodoo-related themes, which are presented in a fictional and adventurous context.
Why we rated The discovery 11LE
The discovery is written at a Level 6 reading level across 254 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The discovery works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The discovery 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 discovery explores psychic ability, voodoo, ghosts, identity, and friendship — 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 psychic ability, voodoo, ghosts.
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780547393087
- Pages
- 254
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction