Hikaru no Go, Volume 3
Yumi Hotta
Hikaru no Go, Volume 3
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Yumi Hotta
Illustrated by Takeshi Obata
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
Akira steps into the bustling halls of Kaio Middle School, eyes watching every move he makes. Mean classmates challenge him, but with Yuri's support, he's ready to fight back and prove his skills. Meanwhile, Hikaru scrambles to find a new teammate for the Go Club—Yuki Mitani might be the answer, but can they trust him?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This volume continues the story of Akira and Hikaru as they navigate middle school challenges and the competitive world of Go. It explores themes of friendship, perseverance, and rivalry, suitable for ages 9-12. Parents should note the presence of mild social conflicts like bullying, but overall the content is appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Hikaru no Go, Volume 3 11LE
Hikaru no Go, Volume 3 is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Hikaru no Go, Volume 3 works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Hikaru no Go, Volume 3 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, Hikaru no Go, Volume 3 explores friendship, coming of age, family, sports, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781591166870
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- VIZ Media LLC
- Published
- February 2, 2005
- Type
- Fiction