Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The Graveyard book: volume 1
Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell
The Graveyard book: volume 1
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell
The text is written at a 3rd 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
A young boy is raised by ghosts and mysterious creatures in a spooky graveyard after a dangerous event changes his life forever. Filled with magical adventures and eerie encounters, this graphic novel brings a haunting tale to life with stunning artwork from multiple talented illustrators. Follow the boy's journey as he discovers courage, friendship, and the secrets of the night.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 3-4 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The Graveyard book: volume 1 8LE
The Graveyard book: volume 1 is written at a Level 3-4 reading level with a Lexile measure of 550L across 188 pages (approximately 18,489 words). Strong independent readers around grade 4.9 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Graveyard book: volume 1 works for readers up to grade 5.9.
Read aloud, The Graveyard book: volume 1 runs about 2.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The Graveyard book: volume 1 as 8LE ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, The Graveyard book: volume 1 explores adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age, friendship, and family — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, fantasy world-building, coming of age.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 41 more books in the NO OFFICIAL SERIES TITLE series.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant 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
- 9780062194817
- Pages
- 188
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 18,489
- Lexile
- 550L
- Read-Aloud
- ~2h 3m
- Text Density
- Light Text