The haunted serpent
Dora M. Mitchell
The haunted serpent
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dora M. Mitchell
The text is written at a 6th 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
Have you ever wondered what it would be like if the dead started roaming around your town? Spaulding Meriwether just moved to Thedgeroot and is trying to be cool, but when a ghost chases him through the woods and his missing neighbor shows up with a pet boa constrictor, things get seriously spooky. What secrets lie behind the smoky chimneys of the abandoned factory? The mystery is just beginning...
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel blends humor, mystery, and mild supernatural elements as it follows Spaulding Meriwether, a new kid navigating middle school while uncovering eerie happenings in his town. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes themes of friendship, fitting in, and light suspense with some references to grave robbing and ghostly encounters. The book balances spooky thrills with comedic moments, making it accessible and engaging for young readers.
Why we rated The haunted serpent 11LE
The haunted serpent is written at a Level 6 reading level across 234 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The haunted serpent works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The haunted serpent as 11LE ("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 serpent explores mystery, friendship, humor, adventure, and supernatural — 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, friendship, humor.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A 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
- 9781454927853
- Pages
- 234
- Publisher
- Union Square & Co.
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction