The ghost-maker
Kathleen Kilgore
The ghost-maker
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kathleen Kilgore
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
Here's a secret: Lee Connors didn’t expect to find magic when he moved in with his grandmother in Florida. But when strange powers start to whisper around him, he realizes his new home hides more mysteries than he ever imagined. And that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction follows Lee Connors, who moves to Florida to live with his grandmother amid family challenges. He discovers occult powers that bring him into a tense conflict with a mysterious antagonist, Eric Sandor. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book explores themes of family, spirituality, and suspense with mild supernatural elements.
Why we rated The ghost-maker 9LE
The ghost-maker is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 162 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The ghost-maker works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The ghost-maker as 9LE ("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 ghost-maker explores spiritualism, family, ghost stories, and mystery — 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 spiritualism, family, ghost stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
- 9780380700578
- Pages
- 162
- Publisher
- Avon Books
- Published
- 1986
- Type
- Fiction