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The Legend Of Annie Murphy

Frank E. Peretti

Cover of The Legend Of Annie Murphy

The Legend Of Annie Murphy

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Frank E. Peretti

Reading Level 4-5 9LE 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 Coopers race through shadowy cliffs, their hearts pounding as strange carvings whisper secrets from long ago. Suddenly, a chilling scream breaks the night—someone is in danger, and the past isn’t done with them yet. What mystery waits in the ghost town’s shadows?

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade mystery follows the Cooper family as they unravel clues carved into cliffs near an abandoned ghost town, blending elements of suspense and historical intrigue. Suitable for ages 9-12, it offers an engaging story that encourages critical thinking without intense violence or mature themes. Parents can expect a thrilling but age-appropriate adventure filled with puzzles and subtle supernatural hints.

Why we rated The Legend Of Annie Murphy 9LE

The Legend Of Annie Murphy is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Legend Of Annie Murphy works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The Legend Of Annie Murphy 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 Legend Of Annie Murphy explores mystery, adventure, family, historical, and espionage — 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, adventure, family.

Maybe not for

  • ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
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

3/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

160 pages
ISBN
9781400305766
Pages
160
Publisher
Thomas Nelson
Published
March 29, 2005
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Space and TimeMysteries, Espionage, & Detective StoriesReligiousChristianAction & AdventureTeen FictionGhostsTime TravelMystery and Detective StoriesWestAdventure and Adventurers

Places

West (U.S.)