Name: Screenwise
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Screenwise Verdict

This is what middle-grade horror should be: legitimately creepy without being traumatizing, smart without being preachy, and funny without undercutting the stakes. Stroud (of Bartimaeus fame) knows how to write kids who sound like actual kids—sarcastic, brave, insecure, and clever all at once.

The premise is killer: London is overrun with deadly ghosts, and only children and teens can see them, so ghost-hunting agencies staffed by kids are everywhere. Lucy joins the scrappy, adult-free Lockwood & Co. and immediately gets in over her head. The mystery is well-constructed, the world-building is rich, and the scares are genuine without being gratuitous.

Yes, there's violence and some gore—it's a ghost story, people die, and the supernatural threats are real. Sensitive kids might find it too intense, but for readers ready to graduate from Goosebumps to something with more teeth, this hits the sweet spot. The Netflix adaptation gives it fresh relevance for 2025 kids.

Bottom line: If your kid wants scary stories and can handle supernatural violence, this is one of the better middle-grade horror series out there. Just don't read it right before bed.

Age Fit

Best for ages 10-14, though confident readers at 9 could handle it and teens will still enjoy it. The scares are real but not traumatizing, and the mystery-solving appeals to middle-grade readers who want something with more substance than elementary chapter books.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

72

Features a team of young ghost hunters who work together cooperatively, with genuine friendship dynamics and humor balancing the spooky elements. Lucy is a strong, capable female protagonist, and the trio models problem-solving through collaboration. The tone is age-appropriate for middle-grade readers, though the ghost-hunting premise involves death and the supernatural. Emotional beats are handled well, with characters showing vulnerability and growth. Some violence and mild gore present, but contextualized within the paranormal detective framework.

Imaginative

88

Stroud builds a richly detailed alternate London where only young people can see ghosts, creating a compelling world with its own rules, agencies, and supernatural taxonomy. The mystery structure invites readers to piece together clues alongside the characters. The premise is highly original—a ghost-hunting agency run by kids without adult supervision—and the world-building encourages curiosity about the 'Problem' and how this society functions. The investigation of haunted locations, especially Combe Carey Hall, provides atmospheric exploration and creative problem-solving scenarios.

Safe

68

This is a ghost story with genuine scares, violence, and mild gore—exactly what it promises. Common Sense Media reviews note that while some readers found it not very scary, others warned it might be too intense for sensitive readers. The content includes supernatural violence, characters in peril, descriptions of ghosts and hauntings, and a 'grisly discovery.' However, there are no surprise inappropriate elements beyond the horror genre expectations—no sexual content, no profanity, no traumatic real-world violence. The scares are paranormal and expected given the synopsis. Readers going in know they're getting a ghost story, so it delivers on that promise without blindsiding anyone.

Enriching

79

Strong mystery-solving elements that encourage critical thinking and deduction. The narrative rewards careful readers who pick up on clues throughout. Themes of independence, entrepreneurship (running their own agency), and taking responsibility for one's actions are woven throughout. Lucy's character arc involves building confidence and finding her place after a professional setback. The book explores grief, loss, and how society deals with death through its supernatural lens. Well-developed characters and witty dialogue make it genuinely entertaining while building reading stamina for middle-grade readers tackling a longer novel.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Lucy Carlyle is a capable, complex female protagonist who makes mistakes and grows from them
The mystery structure gives readers clues to solve alongside the characters, rewarding careful reading
Genuine scares balanced with humor and witty banter between the trio
World-building is creative and detailed—only kids can see ghosts, creating a society where young people do dangerous work
Now a Netflix series, so kids can engage with the story across multiple formats

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What to Watch For

This is a real ghost story with actual scares—descriptions of violent hauntings, supernatural threats, and a 'grisly discovery'
Mild gore and violence throughout; some readers found it intense while others thought it was tame—depends on your kid's sensitivity
Characters are frequently in mortal danger from malevolent spirits
Themes of death are central to the premise, though handled through a supernatural lens

Conversation Starters

"If only kids could see ghosts in our world, how do you think that would change things?"
"Lucy made a big mistake at her old agency. How does she handle it? What would you do differently?"
"The kids run their own business without adults. What are the advantages and problems with that?"
"Which ghost from the book would be the scariest to encounter in real life?"
"Why do you think Stroud made it so only young people have the psychic abilities?"

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The Screaming Staircase: Lockwood & Co., Book 1 Jonathan Stroud