The "Witches"
Roald Dahl
The "Witches"
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Plays for Children
by Roald Dahl
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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if witches weren't just spooky stories but real, sneaky villains hiding in plain sight? Imagine uncovering their secret plans while trying to stay one step ahead. Can you outsmart the witches before it's too late?
Quick Assessment
This book offers a collection of seven short plays adapted from Roald Dahl's classic story 'The Witches,' designed for classroom performance. Suitable for children ages 9 to 12, it captures the humor, excitement, and magic of Dahl's original work while encouraging group participation and creativity. The plays are engaging and appropriate for middle-grade readers, with no intense content concerns.
Why we rated The "Witches" 9LE
The "Witches" is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 128 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The "Witches" works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The "Witches" 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, The "Witches" explores humor, adventure, fantasy world-building, friendship, and drama — 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 humor, adventure, fantasy world-building.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers looking for something heavier — this is a gentle, low-stakes story by design.
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
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 witches
Roald Dahl
The witches
Roald Dahl
Witches
Roald Dahl
Witches
Roald Dahl
The Witches
Roald Dahl
The Witches
Roald Dahl
Witches
Roald Dahl
Witches
Roald Dahl
Witches
Terry Deary
Witches
Terry Deary
The witches and the grinnygog
Dorothy Edwards
The witches and the grinnygog
Dorothy Edwards
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780141310848
- Pages
- 128
- Publisher
- Penguin UK
- Published
- August 30, 2001
- Type
- Fiction