A certain magical index

鎌池和馬

A certain magical index

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by 鎌池和馬

Illustrated by Haimura, Kiyotaka, 1973- illustrator

Reading Level 4-5 9LP Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Touma Kamijou sprints through the bustling streets of Academy City, dodging flying debris and crackling energy blasts all around him. His only power? An unbelievable streak of bad luck that somehow turns into his greatest strength. But when mysterious Index appears beside him, everything changes—and danger is closing in fast!

Themes

MagicPsychic abilityHigh school studentsAdventure Fantasy World-Building

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Touma Kamijou, a student with an unusual supernatural ability: incredibly bad luck that often saves him in tight spots. Set in a city filled with superpowered teens, the story explores themes of magic and friendship with moderate action and some peril. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it contains fantasy violence typical of the genre but no graphic content.

Why we rated A certain magical index 9LP

A certain magical index is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 160 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A certain magical index works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate A certain magical index as 9LP ("Light — Physical") 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, A certain magical index explores magic, psychic ability, high school students, adventure, and fantasy world-building — 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 magic, psychic ability, high school students.

Maybe not for

! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LP — Light — Physical

Emotional

Light

Physical

Light ←

Social

Clear

Thematic

Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level

Emotional Weight

Theme Richness

World Scope

Data Confidence

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

A Certain Magical Index, Vol. 1 - light novel

鎌池和馬