Cattywampus
Ash Van Otterloo
Cattywampus
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Ash Van Otterloo
The text is written at a 6th 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 magic was forbidden in your family, but you stumbled upon a secret spell book? Delpha McGill discovers just that and wants to use it to help her and her mom. But when her rival Katybird’s slow-developing magic and a fierce argument awaken a graveyard full of angry zombies, can they put aside their differences before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
Cattywampus follows Delpha and Katybird, two girls from rival witch families, as they navigate forbidden magic and unexpected dangers. The story explores themes of friendship, family rivalry, and cooperation, set against a magical middle-grade fantasy backdrop. Suitable for ages 9-12, it includes mild fantasy peril and themes of supernatural adventure.
Why we rated Cattywampus 11LE
Cattywampus is written at a Level 6 reading level across 288 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Cattywampus works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Cattywampus as 11LE ("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, Cattywampus explores fantasy world-building, friendship, family, and adventure — 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 fantasy world-building, friendship, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — 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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781338561593
- Pages
- 288
- Publisher
- Scholastic Press
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction