The Haunted (The Hollow, #2)
Jessica Verday
The Haunted (The Hollow, #2)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jessica Verday
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Here’s a secret: Abbey thought she could leave Caspian behind, but he’s not just a memory—he’s a Shade, a ghost tied to her fate. As she dives into school and new friendships, the past won’t let go. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Abbey as she navigates loss, friendship, and supernatural mysteries in Sleepy Hollow. While suitable for ages 9-12, the story includes themes of death and ghostly presence that may prompt questions about grief and destiny. The book blends everyday school life with fantasy elements, making it an engaging but gentle introduction to more complex emotional topics.
Why we rated The Haunted (The Hollow, #2) 12ME
The Haunted (The Hollow, #2) is written at a Level 8 reading level across 467 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Haunted (The Hollow, #2) works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The Haunted (The Hollow, #2) as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Haunted (The Hollow, #2) explores death, supernatural, high schools, schools, 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 death, supernatural, high schools.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The Hidden (The Hollow, #3)
Jessica Verday
The Hidden (The Hollow, #3)
Jessica Verday
Hollow
Jessica Verday
Hollow
Jessica Verday
Haunted
Meg Cabot
Haunted
Meg Cabot
Haunted
Lynn Carthage
Haunted
Lynn Carthage
The Haunted School
Kyril Bonfiglioli
The Haunted School
Kyril Bonfiglioli
Sinews of Thy Heart (The Haunting of Grey Hills)
Jennifer Skogen
Sinews of Thy Heart (The Haunting of Grey Hills)
Jennifer Skogen
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781416978961
- Pages
- 467
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction