York
Laura Ruby
York
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
the Clockwork Ghost
by Laura Ruby
The text is written at a 7th 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
York isn’t just a city—it’s a giant puzzle waiting to be cracked! Tess, Theo, and Jaime have unlocked secrets hidden for over a century, but now the clues are more dangerous than ever. What will they risk to uncover the truth buried beneath New York’s streets?
Quick Assessment
York is the middle book in Laura Ruby’s thrilling alternate-history series about three friends unraveling a complex cipher embedded in New York City’s architecture. Targeted at middle-grade readers ages 9-12, the story combines mystery, adventure, and historical elements with themes of friendship and family. While the book contains moments of suspense and mild peril, it remains appropriate for its intended audience.
Why we rated York 12ME
York is written at a Level 7 reading level across 338 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, York works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate York as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, York explores friendship, adventure, mystery, family, and historical — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — 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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062306982
- Pages
- 338
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction