The haunting of Chas McGill
Robert Westall
The haunting of Chas McGill
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
And Other Stories
by Robert Westall
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.
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About This Book
There’s a secret about Chas McGill that no one talks about—a shadow that moves when no one’s watching. Strange things start happening, and the chilling truth is just the beginning of the mystery. What lurks in the dark will make your skin tingle, but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This collection features supernatural short stories centered around eerie and ghostly experiences, suitable for readers aged 9 to 12. The book delivers spooky thrills without graphic content, making it appropriate for middle-grade readers who enjoy mild horror and suspense. Parents should note that the stories may include themes of fear and the supernatural but remain age-appropriate for this audience.
Why we rated The haunting of Chas McGill 9LE
The haunting of Chas McGill is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 155 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The haunting of Chas McGill works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The haunting of Chas McGill 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 haunting of Chas McGill explores ghost stories, juvenile fiction, mystery, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about ghost stories, juvenile fiction, mystery.
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
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0333347625
- Pages
- 155
- Publisher
- Macmillan Children's
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Fiction