The clairvoyant countess
Dorothy Gilman
The clairvoyant countess
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dorothy Gilman
The text is written at a 7th 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
Madame Karitska can see things others can’t—she’s not just psychic, she’s the cleverest detective with a mysterious past. When danger sneaks closer than ever before, her sharp mind and special powers become the only hope to stop something deadly. The stakes are higher than ever, and every secret she uncovers could change everything.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Madame Karitska, a psychic with a unique blend of intuition and practical sense, as she teams up with a police detective to solve a dangerous case. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story balances suspense with accessible language and encourages critical thinking without graphic content. Parents should know it features mild peril and themes of mystery and adventure.
Why we rated The clairvoyant countess 12LE
The clairvoyant countess is written at a Level 7 reading level across 329 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The clairvoyant countess works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The clairvoyant countess 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, The clairvoyant countess explores mystery, adventure, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
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.
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
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0816163960
- Pages
- 329
- Publisher
- Boston : G. K. Hall
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction