What Dread Hand
Jennifer Skogen
What Dread Hand
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Book Three
by Jennifer Skogen
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.
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About This Book
What if you could travel back to the Fire of 1966 and uncover secrets no one else knows? Imagine learning to fight ghosts while discovering hidden truths about your family and a mysterious urn. But what if the past isn’t as it seems, and danger is closer than you think?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Henry Grey, a student learning to fight ghosts with his uncle, and history teacher Lorna Evans, who returns to her hometown with a mysterious inheritance. Set against the backdrop of the 1966 fire, the story blends historical events with supernatural elements and family secrets. Suitable for ages 9-12, parents should note some titles in the series may include explicit content or language.
Why we rated What Dread Hand 11LE
What Dread Hand is written at a Level 6 reading level across 211 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What Dread Hand works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate What Dread Hand as 11LE ("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, What Dread Hand explores fantasy world-building, mystery, family, and adventure — 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 fantasy world-building, mystery, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
- 9781680760941
- Pages
- 211
- Publisher
- ABDO
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction