The ghost of Cutler Creek
Cynthia C. DeFelice
The ghost of Cutler Creek
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Cynthia C. DeFelice
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
Allie hears a desperate bark echoing through the night, but the voice belongs to a ghostly dog! She and Dub race through shadows, chasing clues about the mysterious new boy and his secretive father. Suddenly, a chilling discovery leaves them frozen—what are they really hiding?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Allie and her friend Dub as they respond to a ghostly dog's plea for help, uncovering secrets about a new classmate and his father. The story combines supernatural elements with themes of friendship and family challenges, suitable for ages 9 to 12. It gently addresses concerns about animal welfare in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated The ghost of Cutler Creek 11LE
The ghost of Cutler Creek is written at a Level 6 reading level across 207 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The ghost of Cutler Creek works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The ghost of Cutler Creek 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 ghost of Cutler Creek explores ghosts, dogs, family, mystery, 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 ghosts, dogs, family.
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
- 0786271906
- Pages
- 207
- Publisher
- Thorndike Press
- Published
- 2005
- Type
- Fiction