The mystery of the Black Moriah
D. A. Crossman
The mystery of the Black Moriah
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by D. A. Crossman
Bean & Ab Mystery
The text is written at a 5th 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
Bean and Ab expect a peaceful holiday, but their plans change when Spooky discovers unusual clues along Indian Creek. Suddenly, an intriguing mystery unfolds, pulling the friends into a new adventure filled with secrets to uncover. Can they solve the puzzle before the summer ends?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The mystery of the Black Moriah 10LP
The mystery of the Black Moriah is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 234 pages (approximately 83,553 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The mystery of the Black Moriah works for readers up to grade 7.4.
Read aloud, The mystery of the Black Moriah runs about 9.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The mystery of the Black Moriah as 10LP ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, The mystery of the Black Moriah explores mystery, adventure, friendship, islands, and maine — 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0892725362
- Pages
- 234
- Publisher
- Down East Books
- Published
- 2002
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 83,553
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 17m
- Text Density
- Very Dense