Magician
Allan Baillie
Magician
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Allan Baillie
The text is written at a 4th 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
There's a secret power hidden in a boy from the future—he's been chosen to stop the Darkness from swallowing his world. But with friends who might be foes and shadows that whisper lies, nothing is what it seems. And that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy follows a boy from the future tasked with preventing a dark force from returning to his land. The story explores themes of trust and uncertainty, suitable for ages 9-12, with mild suspense and fantasy elements. Parents should note the presence of ambiguous alliances and a mysterious atmosphere but no intense violence or mature content.
Why we rated Magician 9LE
Magician is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 168 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Magician works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Magician as 9LE ("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, Magician explores fantasy, adventure, friendship, 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 fantasy, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — 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
- 0140361278
- Pages
- 168
- Publisher
- Puffin Books
- Published
- January 26, 1995
- Type
- Fiction