The Secret of the Lighthouse
Rick Farren
The Secret of the Lighthouse
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Rick Farren
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
Have you ever wondered what secrets a lighthouse might hide? At Rocky Neck Lighthouse, 11-year-old Dickey Denton uncovers tales of a brave young woman whose spirit might still be watching over the light. But what frightening discovery awaits when Dickey and his friend decide to explore the mystery for themselves?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows 11-year-old Dickey Denton as he learns about a courageous young woman connected to Rocky Neck Lighthouse through his grandpa's stories and her old journals. The book combines elements of family history, adventure, and a touch of the supernatural, making it suitable for readers aged 9-12. It contains mild suspense and themes of courage and discovery without any intense content.
Why we rated The Secret of the Lighthouse 9LE
The Secret of the Lighthouse is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 134 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Secret of the Lighthouse works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Secret of the Lighthouse 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 Secret of the Lighthouse explores mystery, adventure, family, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, family.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780979486371
- Pages
- 134
- Publisher
- Summerland Publishing
- Published
- March 27, 2007
- Type
- Fiction