What reading level is A wizard of Earthsea?

A wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin is at a Level 6-7 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What genre is A wizard of Earthsea?

A wizard of Earthsea is fiction — Children's audiobooks. Part of the Earthsea series.

How many pages is A wizard of Earthsea?

A wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin is 183 pages (approximately 56,533 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

A wizard of Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin

A wizard of Earthsea

Q: What age is A wizard of Earthsea appropriate for?

A wizard of Earthsea is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 11IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags: Death of Major Character, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Physical Danger, Fantasy Violence, Loss & Grief, Stalking, Unconsciousness.

Q: Does A wizard of Earthsea have any content warnings?

A wizard of Earthsea has a HootRating of 11IE (Intense — Emotional). Content flags include: Death of Major Character, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Physical Danger, Fantasy Violence, Loss & Grief, Stalking, Unconsciousness. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Earthsea

Reading Level 6-7 11IE Ages 13+ Matched

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.

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About This Book

A young apprentice wizard embarks on a journey from boyhood to adulthood, confronting the dark forces he accidentally released. Along the way, he faces powerful magic, dangerous creatures, and personal trials that test his courage and wisdom. His quest to restore balance reveals the true cost of power and responsibility.

Themes

Fantasy World-Building Coming of AgeMagicAdventureLoss & GriefFamily

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6-7 book with intense content intensity. Content themes include death of major character, child abuse, domestic violence. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated A wizard of Earthsea 11IE

A wizard of Earthsea is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 183 pages (approximately 56,533 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A wizard of Earthsea works for readers up to grade 8.7.

Read aloud, A wizard of Earthsea runs about 6.3 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate A wizard of Earthsea as 11IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. 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: Death of Major Character, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Physical Danger, Fantasy Violence, Loss & Grief, Stalking, Unconsciousness.

Thematically, A wizard of Earthsea explores fantasy world-building, coming of age, magic, adventure, and loss & grief — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, coming of age, magic.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 5 more books in the Earthsea series.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.