The house of secrets
Nina Bawden
The house of secrets
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Nina Bawden
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The Mallory children sneak through a hidden doorway, heartbeats pounding as they step into the shadowy old house next door. Suddenly, a whisper catches their ears—a plea for help from a mysterious girl. But who is she, and what danger lurks in the corners of this secret place?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows the Mallory children as they uncover a hidden passage in an English seaside town and encounter a mysterious girl in an old house. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story features themes of friendship, bravery, and mystery without intense content. Parents can expect a suspenseful but age-appropriate narrative that encourages curiosity and problem-solving.
Why we rated The house of secrets 9LE
The house of secrets is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 187 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The house of secrets works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The house of secrets 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 house of secrets explores adventure, mystery, friendship, and family — 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 adventure, mystery, friendship.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The House Of Shadows
Karen Dolby
The House Of Shadows
Karen Dolby
The shadows of the house
Meg Elizabeth Atkins
The shadows of the house
Meg Elizabeth Atkins
The house of Kingsley Merrick
Deborah Hill
The house of Kingsley Merrick
Deborah Hill
The House Of Mirrors
Pierdomenico Baccalario
The House Of Mirrors
Pierdomenico Baccalario
House of Memories
Benjamin Hulme-Cross
House of Memories
Benjamin Hulme-Cross
In a House Unknown
Dolores Hitchens
In a House Unknown
Dolores Hitchens
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0395586704
- Pages
- 187
- Publisher
- Clarion Books
- Published
- 1992
- Type
- Fiction