Took
Mary Downing Hahn
Took
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Ghost Story
by Mary Downing Hahn
The text is written at a 6th 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
There’s a secret lurking right outside Dan’s new home—a witch named Old Auntie who no one believes is real. But when Dan’s little sister Erica mysteriously disappears, taken by the witch to serve her for fifty years, everything changes. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade horror novel follows Dan as he confronts the terrifying reality of a witch named Old Auntie who abducts his sister to serve her for decades. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of fear, bravery, and family bonds through suspenseful and spooky storytelling. Parents should be aware of supernatural horror elements and mild peril.
Why we rated Took 11ME
Took is written at a Level 6 reading level across 264 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Took works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Took as 11ME ("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 — 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, Took explores horror stories, witches, family, fear & anxiety, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about horror stories, witches, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — 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
1/10A 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
- 9780544551534
- Pages
- 264
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction