What reading level is The Ghost Dance?

The Ghost Dance by Alice McLerran is at a Level 2 reading level. Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is The Ghost Dance appropriate for?

The Ghost Dance is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 7LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is The Ghost Dance?

The Ghost Dance is fiction — Juvenile Nonfiction.

Does The Ghost Dance have any content warnings?

The Ghost Dance has a HootRating of 7LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is The Ghost Dance?

The Ghost Dance by Alice McLerran is 40 pages.

The Ghost Dance

Alice McLerran

The Ghost Dance

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Alice McLerran

Illustrated by Paul Morin

Reading Level 2 7LE Ages 5-8 Heads Up

The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

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About This Book

What if a dance could bring back the animals and heal the land? Tavibo, a brave Paiute visionary, believes that if Native peoples dance, the ghosts of the buffalo and elk will return—and with them, hope for the future. This powerful story shows how one dream can make a difference.

Themes

MulticulturalPoetryEnvironmental AwarenessNative American HistoryFamily Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

This beautifully illustrated book tells the story of Tavibo, a Paiute visionary who dreams that Native American dances can restore the wildlife and lands devastated by westward expansion. Written in poetic prose suitable for early readers ages 5-8, it introduces themes of environmental awareness and Native American history in a thoughtful and accessible way. Parents should note that it addresses historical loss sensitively but without graphic detail.

For Parents

Content Intensity

7LE — Light — Emotional

Emotional

Light ←

Physical

Clear

Social

Light

Thematic

Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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Details

Book Length

40 pages

ISBN: 9780618111435
Pages: 40
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
Published: March 27, 2001
Type: Fiction

Genres

Juvenile Nonfiction

Subjects

People & PlacesUnited StatesNative AmericanPoetryEthnicGhost DanceIndians of North AmericaReligionNarrative PoetryIndians of North America, ReligionIndiansof North AmericaDanceGhosts