Shatterglass (Circle Opens, Book 4)
Tamora Pierce
Shatterglass (Circle Opens, Book 4)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tamora Pierce
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The sharp crackle of lightning hums through the thick glass as Tris shapes magic with trembling hands. Sparks fly, and the air tingles with power as she and her young mage-student chase shadows hiding a dangerous secret. But the closer they get, the more they realize the threat might be right beside them.
Quick Assessment
Set in a richly imagined fantasy world, this novel follows Tris and her apprentice as they use magical glassmaking combined with lightning to solve a mysterious murder. Suitable for teens 13 and up, it explores themes of mentorship, courage, and trust while maintaining a suspenseful tone. The story involves mild peril and fantasy violence appropriate for middle to high school readers.
Why we rated Shatterglass (Circle Opens, Book 4) 12ME
Shatterglass (Circle Opens, Book 4) is written at a Level 7 reading level across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Shatterglass (Circle Opens, Book 4) works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Shatterglass (Circle Opens, Book 4) as 12ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Shatterglass (Circle Opens, Book 4) explores fantasy world-building, adventure, mystery, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, mystery.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Circle Opens
Tamora Pierce
Circle Opens
Tamora Pierce
Tris's Book (Circle of Magic 2) (UNABRIDGED) (Circle Of Magic)
Tamora Pierce
Tris's Book (Circle of Magic 2) (UNABRIDGED) (Circle Of Magic)
Tamora Pierce
Magic Steps (The Circle Opens, Book 1)
Tamora Pierce
Magic Steps (The Circle Opens, Book 1)
Tamora Pierce
Sandry's Book
Tamora Pierce
Sandry's Book
Tamora Pierce
Air & Earth (Circle of Magic, Books Three and Four)
Tamora Pierce
Air & Earth (Circle of Magic, Books Three and Four)
Tamora Pierce
Shatterproof (the 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, Book 4)
Roland Smith
Shatterproof (the 39 Clues: Cahills vs. Vespers, Book 4)
Roland Smith
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780590396967
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- Scholastic Inc.
- Published
- March 1, 2004
- Type
- Fiction