Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland
Kevin Crossley-Holland
Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kevin Crossley-Holland
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if magical creatures from ancient forests and mysterious lands suddenly stepped into your world? Imagine meeting a fearless farm girl who earns a surprising reward or encountering strange green children from a hidden hollow. These tales are full of adventure and wonder, but what secrets will you uncover between worlds?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This collection retells forty-eight traditional folktales from Britain and Ireland, blending magic, adventure, and cultural heritage. Suitable for ages 9-12, the stories vary in tone from dark and eerie to humorous and lyrical, offering a rich exploration of folklore that has shaped the region's cultural landscape. Parents should note some stories contain mild peril and supernatural elements typical of classic fairy tales.
Why we rated Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland 12LE
Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland is written at a Level 7 reading level across 353 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, Between Worlds: Folktales of Britain and Ireland explores fairy tales & folklore, adventure, cultural heritage, myths, and legends — 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 fairy tales & folklore, adventure, cultural heritage.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781536209419
- Pages
- 353
- Publisher
- Candlewick
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction