The Ghost of Graylock

Dan Poblocki

The Ghost of Graylock

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Dan Poblocki

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Graylock Hall hides a secret no one dares to face—the ghost of Nurse Janet is real, and she’s waiting. When Neil, Bree, and their friends step inside the abandoned hospital, they uncover mysteries that could change everything. The truth behind the ghost is more shocking than anyone imagined, and it’s up to them to reveal it.

Themes

Friendship Adventure Mystery Family

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Neil, Bree, and their friends as they spend the summer exploring an abandoned psychiatric hospital rumored to be haunted. The story blends suspense with themes of friendship and courage, suitable for ages 9-12. While it contains mild spooky elements and moments of tension, it remains appropriate for young readers interested in ghost stories and mystery.

Why we rated The Ghost of Graylock 11LE

The Ghost of Graylock is written at a Level 6 reading level across 264 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Ghost of Graylock works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate The Ghost of Graylock 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fear & Anxiety.

Thematically, The Ghost of Graylock explores friendship, adventure, mystery, and family — 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.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, mystery.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional

Emotional

Light ←

Physical

Light

Social

Clear

Thematic

Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Content Flags

Mild Peril Fear & Anxiety

Data confidence: standard

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

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

2/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

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The ghost of Graylock

Dan Poblocki