The haunted boardwalk
Tennant Redbank
The haunted boardwalk
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tennant Redbank
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), 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
The salty breeze carries eerie creaks and distant howls under the moonlit sky at Malibu Mini-Golf Park. Shadows dance across the worn wooden planks of the boardwalk as Barbie and her sisters tiptoe closer, hearts pounding with curiosity and a pinch of fear. What secrets hide in the night’s whispers, waiting for them to discover?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader book follows Barbie and her sisters as they explore mysterious noises at a local mini-golf park, weaving a gentle ghost story suitable for children ages 5 to 8. The story encourages problem-solving and sibling cooperation while maintaining a light tone that is appropriate for young readers. There is mild suspense but no frightening or graphic content.
Why we rated The haunted boardwalk 8LE
The haunted boardwalk is written at a Level 3 reading level across 58 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The haunted boardwalk works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate The haunted boardwalk 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, The haunted boardwalk explores boardwalks, juvenile fiction, haunted places, sisters, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about boardwalks, juvenile fiction, haunted places.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The Boardwalk Mystery
Gertrude Chandler Warner
The Boardwalk Mystery
Gertrude Chandler Warner
Haunted Amusement Parks (Tiptoe into Scary Places)
Rachel Anne Cantor
Haunted Amusement Parks (Tiptoe into Scary Places)
Rachel Anne Cantor
Haunted park
Katherine Noll
Haunted park
Katherine Noll
Ghostly holler-day
Daren King
Ghostly holler-day
Daren King
The Haunted Beach House (Take Ten: Chillers)
Susannah Brin
The Haunted Beach House (Take Ten: Chillers)
Susannah Brin
Haunted Theater/Museum Mystery/Miniature Golf Mystery (Story Reader)
Publications International
Haunted Theater/Museum Mystery/Miniature Golf Mystery (Story Reader)
Publications International
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780375974120
- Pages
- 58
- Publisher
- Random House
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction