The ghost and Mrs. Hobbs
Cynthia C. DeFelice
The ghost and Mrs. Hobbs
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cynthia C. DeFelice
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Have you ever wondered what secrets a ghost might hide? Eleven-year-old Allie is caught between a fight with her best friend and strange fires that keep happening at school. When a ghostly young man asks for her help to solve a mystery from seventeen years ago, Allie must decide what she's brave enough to uncover.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book follows eleven-year-old Allie as she navigates friendship challenges and investigates a series of mysterious fires linked to a tragic event from the past. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of loss, jealousy, and mystery with mild suspense and supernatural elements. Parents should note the presence of arson and ghostly encounters, though the content is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated The ghost and Mrs. Hobbs 9ME
The ghost and Mrs. Hobbs is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The ghost and Mrs. Hobbs works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The ghost and Mrs. Hobbs 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: Arson.
Thematically, The ghost and Mrs. Hobbs explores ghosts, friendship, mystery, schools, and jealousy — 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 ghosts, friendship, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" 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
- 0786243937
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Thorndike Press
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction