What reading level is Missing Magic?

Missing Magic by Emma Laybourn is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Missing Magic appropriate for?

Missing Magic is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Missing Magic?

Missing Magic is fiction — Juvenile Fiction.

Does Missing Magic have any content warnings?

Missing Magic has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Missing Magic?

Missing Magic by Emma Laybourn is 192 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Missing Magic

Emma Laybourn

Missing Magic

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Emma Laybourn

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

A Junior Library Guild selection

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

What if you got into a special school where everyone can do magic—except you? Ned is the only student without a single magical skill, and when mysterious Necromancers start kidnapping kids, he's the only one who might help. But how can you save your friends when you have no magic at all?

Themes

Adventure Fantasy World-BuildingSchoolFriendship Coming of Age

Quick Assessment

Missing Magic follows Ned, a boy who gains admission to an elite magical school but lacks any magical ability. As he faces challenges fitting in and a growing threat from sinister Necromancers kidnapping students, Ned must rely on his courage and cleverness. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story contains fantasy adventure with mild peril but no graphic content.

Why we rated Missing Magic 9LE

Missing Magic is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Missing Magic works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Missing Magic 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, Missing Magic explores adventure, fantasy world-building, school, 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 adventure, fantasy world-building, school.
✓ Readers (and parents) who care about award-recognized writing — Missing Magic carries an award.