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The Prank

Ashley Rae Harris

Cover of The Prank

The Prank

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ashley Rae Harris

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

Jordan isn’t just any prankster—she might be dealing with a ghost who’s out for revenge. When her latest joke spirals out of control, the mystery deepens, and the stakes get higher. Can she solve the haunting before it’s too late?

Themes

Haunted SchoolsJuvenile FictionPopularityPractical JokesFriendship

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Jordan, a high school junior who gets caught up in a series of escalating pranks that lead to supernatural suspicions. The story explores themes of popularity, friendship, and consequences, with mild suspense and ghostly elements suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of some spooky moments and the depiction of peer pressure.

Why we rated The Prank 9LE

The Prank is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 106 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Prank works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The Prank 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 Prank explores haunted schools, juvenile fiction, popularity, practical jokes, and friendship — 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.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about haunted schools, juvenile fiction, popularity.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Light
Social
Light
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

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
1
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

106 pages
ISBN
9780545438599
Pages
106
Publisher
Scholastic
Published
2012
Type
Fiction

Genres

Haunted schools

Subjects

Haunted SchoolsPopularityHigh School StudentsPractical JokesHigh SchoolsSchoolsHorror StoriesGhostsHaunted Places