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The Hound of the Baskervilles

Arthur Conan Doyle

Cover of The Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

From the Story by Arthur Conan Doyle

by Arthur Conan Doyle

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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?

Themes

MysteryDetective StoriesClassicsAdventure

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 — Physical
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

3/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

164 pages
ISBN
9780794505745
Pages
164
Publisher
Usborne Books
Published
2003
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Language ArtsClassicsMysteries & Detective Stories