The Secret Clubhouse
P.J. Duval
The Secret Clubhouse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Adventures of Nicki
by P.J. Duval
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if your new town held secrets darker than you imagined? Nicki has finally settled into Wolf Creek, but mean Constance and tricky Josh make every day a challenge. When a hidden treasure and a ghostly mystery pull her into danger, can Nicki and her friend Brent solve the puzzle before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Nicki as she navigates friendships and challenges in a new town, facing bullying and false accusations. The story involves supernatural elements and a treasure hunt, suitable for ages 9-12 with themes of bravery and problem-solving. Parents should note mild peril and social conflict but no intense content.
Why we rated The Secret Clubhouse 12ME
The Secret Clubhouse is written at a Level 7 reading level across 342 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Secret Clubhouse works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The Secret Clubhouse as 12ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The Secret Clubhouse explores friendship, mystery, adventure, and coming of age — 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 friendship, mystery, adventure.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9780981938424
- Pages
- 342
- Publisher
- Sprinting River Pub
- Published
- April 8, 2009
- Type
- Fiction