The ghost ship
Delbert Alton Young
The ghost ship
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Delbert Alton Young
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
The salty spray of the sea stings your face as the creaking wooden ship cuts through the waves under a gray sky. The wind carries whispers of adventure and secrets from long ago, pulling you deeper into the mystery of Drake's Golden Hind. Every splash and gust feels like a call to bravery, but what will you discover beyond the horizon?
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows a modern teenager who becomes a ship's boy aboard Sir Francis Drake's Golden Hind, blending adventure with a glimpse into 16th-century exploration. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, the story offers an engaging way to learn about history through a fictional narrative. Parents should note the historical setting includes maritime peril but contains no graphic content.
Why we rated The ghost ship 9LP
The ghost ship is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 191 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The ghost ship works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The ghost ship as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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 ship explores adventure, historical, and coming of age — 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 adventure, historical, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0772005613
- Pages
- 191
- Publisher
- Toronto: Clarke, Irwin
- Published
- 1972
- Type
- Fiction