Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic)
Kathleen Duey
Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic)
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Kathleen Duey
Illustrated by Sheila Rayyan
Resurrection of Magic
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for older middle graders (ages 11+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Sadima leaves her quiet farm life to work for a mysterious man determined to bring magic back to the world. Meanwhile, a group of boys struggles to endure the challenges of a harsh academy shaped by his powerful influence. Together, their journeys reveal the secrets and dangers of a world where magic is awakening once again.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, emotional: fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 11+.
Why we rated Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic) 9ME
Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic) is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 357 pages (approximately 81,894 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic) works for readers up to grade 6.7.
Read aloud, Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic) runs about 9.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic) as 9ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Skin Hunger (A Resurrection of Magic) explores fantasy world-building, magic, adventure, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 11+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, magic, adventure.
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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
5/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780689840937
- Pages
- 357
- Publisher
- Atheneum Books
- Published
- July 24, 2007
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 81,894
- Read-Aloud
- ~9h 6m
- Text Density
- Standard