Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The ghostfaces
John Flanagan
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LE, means mild content, mostly emotional.
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About This Book
What if a fierce storm swept you far from home to a strange land where nobody seems to be around? Imagine being part of a brave crew that saves two kids from a giant bear and earns the friendship of a mysterious tribe. But just as peace settles, a terrifying tribe with ghostly painted faces returns, ready to bring war—can the Herons protect their new friends?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows a group of young Skandian friends who, after being blown off course by a storm, discover a mysterious land and form an alliance with a local tribe. Themes of courage, friendship, and teamwork are central as they prepare to face a threatening enemy tribe. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains mild peril and action but remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated The ghostfaces LE (Mild)
The ghostfaces is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 383 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 7 and up can manage The ghostfaces on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
We rate The ghostfaces as LE (Mild, mostly 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 ghostfaces explores courage, adventure, friendship, seafaring life, and pirates — 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 courage, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LE · Mild · EmotionalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780399163579
- Pages
- 383
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction