What reading level is Tales from Earthsea?

Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin is at a Level 6-7 reading level. Recommended for Upper Grades readers (Ages 13+).

What genre is Tales from Earthsea?

Tales from Earthsea is fiction — Fiction. Part of the Earthsea series.

How many pages is Tales from Earthsea?

Tales from Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin is 296 pages (approximately 85,982 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Tales from Earthsea

Ursula K. Le Guin

Tales from Earthsea

Q: What age is Tales from Earthsea appropriate for?

Tales from Earthsea is recommended for Ages 13+. HootRating: 11VP (Vivid — Physical). Content flags: Death, Animal Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Gaslighting, Stalking, Addiction, Drug Use, Sexual Assault, Pedophilia.

Q: Does Tales from Earthsea have any content warnings?

Tales from Earthsea has a HootRating of 11VP (Vivid — Physical). Content flags include: Death, Animal Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Gaslighting, Stalking, Addiction, Drug Use, Sexual Assault, Pedophilia. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Earthsea

Reading Level 6-7 11VP Ages 13+ Heads Up

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is very intense with mature or graphic material.

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About This Book

Journey deeper into the enchanted realm of Earthsea with five captivating stories that reveal untold adventures and mysteries beyond the original novels. Discover the rich history, languages, and magic that shape this fantastical world, bringing new life and depth to beloved characters and places.

Themes

Fantasy World-Building AdventureMagicHistorical

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 6-7 book with very intense content intensity. Content themes include death, animal abuse, child abuse. Written for readers ages 13+.

Why we rated Tales from Earthsea 11VP

Tales from Earthsea is written at a Level 6-7 reading level across 296 pages (approximately 85,982 words). Strong independent readers around grade 7.1 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Tales from Earthsea works for readers up to grade 8.1.

Read aloud, Tales from Earthsea runs about 9.6 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Tales from Earthsea as 11VP ("Vivid — Physical") because the content sits in the "Very Intense" range — very intense or graphic content — peril, violence, trauma, or mature themes treated head-on. The strongest signals come from physical peril, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Death, Animal Abuse, Child Abuse, Domestic Violence, Gaslighting, Stalking, Addiction, Drug Use, Sexual Assault, Pedophilia.

Thematically, Tales from Earthsea explores fantasy world-building, adventure, magic, and historical — 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.
✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, magic.
✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 5 more books in the Earthsea series.

Maybe not for

! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.