Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
The Spiritglass Charade
Colleen Gleason
The Spiritglass Charade
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Colleen Gleason
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
What if a mysterious spiritglass could control your mind? Seventeen-year-old Willa Aston is caught in a web of secrets, where ghostly messages hide darker dangers. Can Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker unravel the truth before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult steampunk mystery follows Mina Holmes and Evaline Stoker as they investigate a troubling case involving a spiritglass that manipulates a teenager named Willa. The story includes themes of deception, danger, and supernatural intrigue, with some mild peril and references to crime and vampires. Suitable for teens, it offers a blend of mystery and adventure with thoughtful social elements.
Why we rated The Spiritglass Charade 10ME
The Spiritglass Charade is written at a Level 5-6 reading level with a Lexile measure of 840L across 354 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 6.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Spiritglass Charade works for readers up to grade 7.5.
We rate The Spiritglass Charade as 10ME ("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, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, The Spiritglass Charade explores mystery, adventure, friendship, romance, and steampunk — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781452110714
- Pages
- 354
- Publisher
- Chronicle Books
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 840L