The Ghosts at the Movie Theater #9 (The Haunted Library)
Dori Hillestad Butler
The Ghosts at the Movie Theater #9 (The Haunted Library)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dori Hillestad Butler
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
Kaz and Claire race through the dark movie theater, shadows flickering on the walls. Suddenly, a ghost vanishes right before their eyes—gone without a trace! What’s causing the spooky disappearances, and can they save the haunted spirits before it’s too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Kaz and Claire as they search for Kaz's missing uncle and encounter ghosts living in an old movie theater. Suitable for readers aged 9 to 12, the story blends light horror with adventure and problem-solving. The book contains mild supernatural themes and suspenseful moments but remains appropriate for its target audience.
Why we rated The Ghosts at the Movie Theater #9 (The Haunted Library) 9LP
The Ghosts at the Movie Theater #9 (The Haunted Library) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Ghosts at the Movie Theater #9 (The Haunted Library) works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Ghosts at the Movie Theater #9 (The Haunted Library) 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, The Ghosts at the Movie Theater #9 (The Haunted Library) explores mystery, adventure, friendship, and fantasy world-building — 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 mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780451534361
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Grosset & Dunlap
- Published
- Feb 21, 2017
- Type
- Fiction