The wish giver
Bill Brittain
The wish giver
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Three Tales of Coven Tree
by Bill Brittain
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 gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
At the Coven Tree Church Social, a mysterious visitor offers to grant wishes, and three children each ask for something special. Their wishes come true, but not exactly as they imagined, leading to surprising and magical adventures. Discover how their dreams turn into lessons about being careful what you wish for.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated The wish giver 9C
The wish giver is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 181 pages (approximately 27,661 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.4 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The wish giver works for readers up to grade 6.4.
Read aloud, The wish giver runs about 3.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate The wish giver as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, The wish giver explores magic, wishes, 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 magic, wishes, adventure.
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
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The Boy With a Wish (Nicholas Stories)
Harry B. Knights
The Boy With a Wish (Nicholas Stories)
Harry B. Knights
The wish giver
Bill Brittain
The wish giver
Bill Brittain
Wish Giver
Bill Brittain
Wish Giver
Bill Brittain
Wishful thinking
Jason Lethcoe
Wishful thinking
Jason Lethcoe
The Boy With a Wish (Nicholas Stories)
Harry B. Knights
The Boy With a Wish (Nicholas Stories)
Harry B. Knights
Big Wish
Brandon Robshaw
Big Wish
Brandon Robshaw
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0064401685
- Pages
- 181
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 1983
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 27,661
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 4m
- Text Density
- Standard