These Witches Don't Burn
Isabel Sterling
These Witches Don't Burn
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Isabel Sterling
The text is written at a 7th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: Hannah can control fire, earth, water, and air, but she has to hide her magic from everyone around her. When dark magic threatens her town, she must face her fears—and an old enemy—to protect everything she loves. But that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel follows Hannah, a powerful witch who must keep her abilities hidden to avoid losing her magic forever. Set in Salem, Massachusetts, the story blends paranormal elements with themes of friendship, romance, and suspense. Suitable for teens aged 13 and up, it includes LGBTQ+ representation and some intense moments involving dark magic and conflict.
Why we rated These Witches Don't Burn 12ME
These Witches Don't Burn is written at a Level 7 reading level across 336 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, These Witches Don't Burn works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate These Witches Don't Burn as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Dark Magic, Romantic Tension, Mild Violence.
Thematically, These Witches Don't Burn explores young adult fiction, paranormal, occult & supernatural, romance, and lgbtq+ representation — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about young adult fiction, paranormal, occult & supernatural.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780451480347
- Pages
- 336
- Publisher
- Penguin
- Published
- Apr 28, 2020
- Type
- Fiction