A Perilous Power
E. Rose Sabin
A Perilous Power
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by E. Rose Sabin
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Trevor has always known he has magical abilities, but in his quiet hometown, using magic is dangerous and forbidden. When he and his best friend Les venture to a secret city where others like them train, they find themselves caught in a fierce battle for control. Together, they must navigate hidden dangers and decide who to trust to unlock their true power.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence, fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 11+.
Why we rated A Perilous Power 10ME
A Perilous Power is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 288 pages (approximately 71,905 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A Perilous Power works for readers up to grade 7.4.
Read aloud, A Perilous Power runs about 8 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate A Perilous Power as 10ME ("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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence, Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, A Perilous Power explores fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age, adventure, and schools — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 2 more books in the School for Sorcery series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the School for Sorcery Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0765347601
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Macmillan
- Published
- August 26, 2004
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 71,905
- Read-Aloud
- ~7h 59m
- Text Density
- Standard