The Over-The-Hill Ghost
Ruth Calif
The Over-The-Hill Ghost
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ruth Calif
Illustrated by Joan Holub
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
Jamie sprints through the shadowy farmhouse, heart pounding as Elmer, the grumpy old ghost with creaky bones, suddenly appears beside him. They’re racing against time to uncover buried treasure and solve a chilling murder mystery. But will they reach the truth before danger catches up with them?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows 12-year-old Jamie Boyd as he moves from New York City to a rural farm, where he teams up with a humorous and arthritic ghost named Elmer to solve a decades-old murder and find hidden treasure. The story combines elements of suspense, humor, and friendship, making it suitable for children aged 9 to 12. Parents should note mild themes of crime and supernatural elements, all presented in an age-appropriate way.
Why we rated The Over-The-Hill Ghost 9LE
The Over-The-Hill Ghost is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 164 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Over-The-Hill Ghost works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Over-The-Hill Ghost 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 Over-The-Hill Ghost explores mystery, adventure, friendship, and supernatural — 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, 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781565545526
- Pages
- 164
- Publisher
- Firebird Press
- Published
- December 19, 1988
- Type
- Fiction