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The Hound of the Baskervilles
Arthur Conan Doyle
The Hound of the Baskervilles
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
From the Story by Arthur Conan Doyle
by Arthur Conan Doyle
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
The fog swirls thick over Dartmoor as footsteps echo behind the shadows. Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson race against time, chasing whispers of a terrifying hound that haunts the night. Suddenly, a chilling howl pierces the silence—what waits in the darkness?
Quick Assessment
This classic mystery follows Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson as they investigate the eerie legend of a supernatural hound threatening the Baskerville family on the moors. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, the story blends suspense with classic detective work without graphic content. It’s an engaging introduction to mystery and classic literature for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated The Hound of the Baskervilles 9LP
The Hound of the Baskervilles is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 164 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Hound of the Baskervilles works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Hound of the Baskervilles as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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 Hound of the Baskervilles explores mystery, detective stories, classics, and adventure — 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, detective stories, classics.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780794505745
- Pages
- 164
- Publisher
- Usborne Books
- Published
- 2003
- Type
- Fiction