Silver Dasher
Lee Magness
Silver Dasher
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lee Magness
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
The cold bite of the snowstorm whips across the mountain as Ruryk clings to the rocky heights, while Rhianna's fingers trace the hidden stone passage into a dark fortress. Between shadows and shimmering light, the fate of their magical island kingdom hangs by a thread. Friendship and courage spark like fire in the freezing air, but what will the mighty Silver Dasher do next?
Quick Assessment
Silver Dasher is a middle-grade fantasy novel set in a richly imagined world where two royal children face a powerful evil threatening their kingdom. The story explores themes of friendship, bravery, and self-discovery as Rhianna and Ruryk undertake a perilous journey filled with magical challenges. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains mild fantasy peril and emphasizes positive messages about growing up and facing fears.
Why we rated Silver Dasher 9LE
Silver Dasher 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, Silver Dasher works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Silver Dasher 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, Silver Dasher explores fantasy world-building, adventure, friendship, coming of age, and science & nature — 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, 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
- 9780595290437
- Pages
- 168
- Publisher
- iUniverse.com
- Published
- August 20, 2003
- Type
- Fiction