Magpie Gabbard and the quest for the buried moon
Sally M. Keehn
Magpie Gabbard and the quest for the buried moon
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sally M. Keehn
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
Magpie Gabbard is the feistiest thirteen-year-old you’ll ever meet, and she’s got a family feud that’s as fierce as a Kentucky thunderstorm. When goblins steal the moon, only her stubborn spirit and a secret prophecy can bring it back—and save everyone she loves. This isn’t just about magic; it’s about changing the fate written for her.
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in 1872 Kentucky, this middle-grade novel follows thirteen-year-old Magpie Gabbard as she confronts a family legacy of conflict while facing a magical threat to the moon. The story blends historical setting with fantasy elements and explores themes of family, courage, and destiny. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild peril but is overall appropriate for middle-grade readers.
Why we rated Magpie Gabbard and the quest for the buried moon 9LE
Magpie Gabbard and the quest for the buried moon is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 198 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Magpie Gabbard and the quest for the buried moon works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Magpie Gabbard and the quest for the buried moon 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, Magpie Gabbard and the quest for the buried moon explores fantasy world-building, family, adventure, and juvenile fiction — 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, family, adventure.
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
- 9780399243400
- Pages
- 198
- Publisher
- Philomel
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction