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Cover of The Secret Lake

Age rating and parents' guide:The Secret Lake

by Karen Inglis

Ages 9–11

The Secret Lake by Karen Inglis is best for children aged 9–11. It has no violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language.

When Stella and her younger brother Tom move to a new home in London, they notice their neighbour's dog frequently disappears and returns soaking wet. Following him through a hidden tunnel, they discover a secret lake that takes them nearly a century back in time to the early 1900s. There, they uncover secrets about a boy in need of help and race to put things right. It is a gentle, gripping time-travel mystery with classic adventure appeal that hooks independent readers who enjoy exploring hidden worlds.

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Content ratings

How much of each a parent can expect, from none to strong.

Violence
None
Scary moments
Mild
Romance
None
Bad language
None
Dhiraj Bodade

Content checked by Dhiraj Bodade, co-founder of Bookstaken, on 21 September 2026.

At a glance

  • ★Early chapter book
  • ★Easy to get into from the first page
  • ★Plenty of illustrations
  • ★Emotionally light
  • ★A good pick for reluctant readers

Great for kids who like

  • Mystery & Detective

Reading mood

  • Mysterious

Good to talk about

  • Mystery & Detective

Books like The Secret Lake

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Questions parents ask

Q: What age is The Secret Lake for?
The Secret Lake suits children aged 9–11. It is an early chapter book: easy to get into from the first page, plenty of illustrations.
Q: Is The Secret Lake appropriate for a 9 year old?
Yes. Bookstaken rates it for ages 9–11. It has no violence, a few mildly scary moments, no romance and no bad language.
Q: What should my child read after The Secret Lake?
Try The Mysteries of Harris Burdick, Sindhu and Jeet's Detective Agency and Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library. They share the same kind of story and suit the same ages.
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