The hour of the Oxrun dead
C. L. Grant
The hour of the Oxrun dead
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by C. L. Grant
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
Whisper this secret: the quiet town of Oxrun hides shadows that come alive when the clock strikes the hour of the ox. Librarians aren’t just keepers of books here—they guard mysteries that could change everything. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction features a mysterious tale set in the town of Oxrun, where female librarians play a key role in uncovering dark secrets. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story blends suspense with themes of courage and curiosity, making it an engaging read for young mystery enthusiasts. Parents should note the suspenseful tone but no graphic content is present.
Why we rated The hour of the Oxrun dead 9LE
The hour of the Oxrun dead is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 182 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The hour of the Oxrun dead works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The hour of the Oxrun dead 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 hour of the Oxrun dead explores women librarians, mystery, adventure, and friendship — 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 women librarians, mystery, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
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
- 0385131739
- Pages
- 182
- Publisher
- Doubleday
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction