Token of darkness

Name: Token of darkness
Author: Amelia Atwater-Rhodes
ISBN: 9780385737500

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes

Reading Level 6-7 LP · Mild · Physical Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links.

About This Book

Cooper Blake blinks awake, the crash still echoing in his mind, but something’s not right—he’s staring at a ghost with eyes full of secrets. Suddenly, whispers of other kids with strange powers swirl around him. Just when he thinks he might understand, everything shifts in a way he never saw coming.

Themes

Paranormal FictionGhostsSupernaturalTraffic AccidentsJuvenile Fiction

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade paranormal fiction follows Cooper Blake as he recovers from a serious car accident and encounters a mysterious ghost. The story explores themes of supernatural abilities and hidden secrets among peers, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should be aware that the book includes mild supernatural elements and addresses the aftermath of a traffic accident.

Why we rated Token of darkness LP (Mild)

Token of darkness is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 197 pages. Reading-wise, most kids in grade 8 and up can manage Token of darkness on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.

We rate Token of darkness as LP (Mild, mostly physical) 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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Supernatural Themes.

Thematically, Token of darkness explores paranormal fiction, ghosts, supernatural, traffic accidents, and juvenile fiction — 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 paranormal fiction, ghosts, supernatural.

Maybe not for

! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.

For Parents

Content Intensity

LP · Mild · Physical

Emotional

Gentle

Physical

Mild ←

Social

Gentle

Thematic

Gentle

Reading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.