The gloomy ghost
David Lubar
The gloomy ghost
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Monsterrific Tale
by David Lubar
Illustrated by Calo, Marcos, illustrator
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Sebastian and Angie suddenly start turning into monsters right in the middle of school! Their little brother Rory finds himself as a ghost, floating through the halls, desperate to find a way back to being normal. But when he sneaks into the creepy haunted house, what he discovers might change everything—if he can escape first.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of transformation and sibling bonds as children at Washington Irving Elementary mysteriously turn into monsters. When Rory becomes a ghost, he embarks on a spooky adventure to find answers in a haunted house, making it a fun yet eerie read suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of supernatural elements and mild spooky scenes typical of ghost stories.
Why we rated The gloomy ghost 9LE
The gloomy ghost is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 138 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The gloomy ghost works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The gloomy ghost as 9LE ("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 gloomy ghost explores school stories, ghost stories, monsters, brothers and sisters, and ghosts — 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 school stories, ghost stories, monsters.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Attack of the graveyard ghouls
Robert Lawrence Stine
Attack of the graveyard ghouls
Robert Lawrence Stine
THERE'S A GHOST IN THE BOY'S BATHROOM (Graveyard School)
Tom B. Stone
THERE'S A GHOST IN THE BOY'S BATHROOM (Graveyard School)
Tom B. Stone
Ghost Camp
R. L. Stine
Ghost Camp
R. L. Stine
The School of Scary Stories
Jim Flanagan
The School of Scary Stories
Jim Flanagan
Ghostly Terrors
Daniel Cohen, Morris L. Cohen
Ghostly Terrors
Daniel Cohen, Morris L. Cohen
Ghosts Be Gone! (Ghostville Elementary)
Marcia Thornton Jones
Ghosts Be Gone! (Ghostville Elementary)
Marcia Thornton Jones
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780765330802
- Pages
- 138
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction