The ghost who came to tea
Holland, Robert M.A.
The ghost who came to tea
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
a novel of sports and mystery
by Holland, Robert M.A.
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
The creak of old floorboards and a faint, chilly breeze whisper through the empty house. Suddenly, a ghostly figure appears, her story tangled in secrets from 200 years ago. Cassie and Marta must listen closely to the past to uncover the truth—and face emotions that linger like shadows.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel combines elements of mystery and supernatural fiction as two friends investigate a centuries-old murder revealed by a ghost. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of friendship, courage, and uncovering history, with light suspense and no graphic content. It’s a thoughtful, engaging read for young fans of basketball and ghost stories.
Why we rated The ghost who came to tea 11LE
The ghost who came to tea is written at a Level 6 reading level across 204 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The ghost who came to tea works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The ghost who came to tea 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 who came to tea explores friendship, mystery, ghost stories, basketball, 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 friendship, mystery, ghost stories.
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
- 9780979427343
- Pages
- 204
- Publisher
- Frost Hollow Publishers
- Published
- 2006
- Type
- Fiction