The locket
Dax Varley
The locket
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dax Varley
Illustrated by Proctor, Jon, illustrator
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Max's mother was taken by demons, and now seven redheaded women have vanished too. When a new teacher arrives wearing a necklace with a lock of Mom's hair, Max feels hope stirring inside. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader fiction follows Max, a young boy whose mother was taken by demons, as he encounters a substitute teacher who might hold clues to her disappearance. The story includes themes of supernatural elements and kidnapping, suitable for children ages 5-8 but may require parental guidance due to the darker themes. The reading level is Grade 2, making it accessible to early readers.
Why we rated The locket 7ME
The locket is written at a Level 2 reading level across 48 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The locket works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate The locket as 7ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Kidnapping, Supernatural Themes.
Thematically, The locket explores demonology, kidnapping, family, and juvenile fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about demonology, kidnapping, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781624021596
- Pages
- 48
- Publisher
- Spellbound, an imprint of Magic Wagon
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction