A dangerous magic
Donald Hounam
A dangerous magic
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Donald Hounam
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
Frank Sampson kneels beside a headless body, magic crackling in the air around him. His sharp mind races as he realizes the missing head doesn’t match the corpse at all. Just then, a shadow moves behind him—who’s watching, and what secrets are they hiding?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery features fifteen-year-old Frank Sampson, a gifted forensic sorcerer who investigates the beheading of the Bishop of Oxford. The story blends elements of magic and detective work, presenting a complex mystery appropriate for ages 9-12. Parents should note the themes of murder and magical investigation, handled with suspense but without graphic detail.
Why we rated A dangerous magic 12MP
A dangerous magic is written at a Level 7 reading level across 346 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A dangerous magic works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate A dangerous magic as 12MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from 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, A dangerous magic explores mystery, magic, detective and mystery stories, and wizards — 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 mystery, magic, detective and mystery stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
2/10A 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
- 9781512432329
- Pages
- 346
- Publisher
- Millbrook Press
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction