Obsidian mirror
Catherine Fisher
Obsidian mirror
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Catherine Fisher
The text is written at a 8th 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
The cold, smooth surface of the obsidian mirror hums softly, shimmering with scenes from long ago and far ahead. Jake's heart races as he reaches out, hoping to touch his missing father trapped somewhere in time. Every reflection holds a secret, but can Jake unlock the mystery before it’s too late?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Jake, whose father vanishes after experimenting with a mysterious black mirror that serves as a portal through time. The story explores themes of family and perseverance as Jake navigates challenges to find his father. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild suspense but no intense content.
Why we rated Obsidian mirror 12LE
Obsidian mirror is written at a Level 8 reading level across 421 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Obsidian mirror works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Obsidian mirror as 12LE ("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, Obsidian mirror explores missing persons, family, time travel, 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about missing persons, family, time travel.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — 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
- 9781410457684
- Pages
- 421
- Publisher
- Obsidian Mirror
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction