Magic Below
Laura J. Burns
Magic Below
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Laura J. Burns
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
Zerie swims quickly through the shadowy waters, her tail flicking as she nears Glinda's shimmering underwater palace. The glassy walls hide secrets, and somewhere inside, her friends are trapped. But can she uncover the truth before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
Magic Below is a middle-grade fantasy adventure that follows Zerie, who is transformed into a mermaid to infiltrate an underwater palace and rescue her friends. The story explores themes of trust, loyalty, and magic within the imaginative world of Oz. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild peril and fantasy violence appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Magic Below 11LE
Magic Below is written at a Level 6 reading level across 241 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Magic Below works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Magic Below 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, Magic Below explores adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, magic, and coming of age — 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship.
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
- 9781496526045
- Pages
- 241
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction