Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Thursdays with the crown
Jessica Day George
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material. Its HootRating code, LP, means mild content, mostly physical.
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About This Book
Princess Celie and her siblings, along with their loyal griffin Rufus, find themselves whisked away to a mysterious realm when the towers of Castle Glower magically shift. There, they meet two mysterious wizards and discover a hidden group of castle dwellers with surprising secrets waiting to be uncovered. Adventure and magic unfold as they work together to unlock the castle's mysteries.
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with mild content intensity. Content themes include mild peril, fantasy violence. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Thursdays with the crown LP (Mild)
Thursdays with the crown is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 212 pages (approximately 48,832 words). Reading-wise, most kids in grade 6 and up can manage Thursdays with the crown on their own; younger readers can enjoy it with a parent or teacher reading along.
Read aloud, Thursdays with the crown runs about 5.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Thursdays with the crown as LP (Mild, mostly physical) 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Fantasy Violence.
Thematically, Thursdays with the crown explores fantasy world-building, adventure, family, magic, 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.
- ✓ Readers who like a steady plot with enough momentum to keep pages turning.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, adventure, family.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there are 4 more books in the Tuesdays at the Castle series.
Maybe not for
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
For Parents
Content Intensity
LP · Mild · PhysicalReading the HootRating code: the first letter is the content intensity (C = Gentle · L = Mild · M = Moderate · I = Intense · V = Very Intense); the second, when there is one, is the kind of content that drives it (E = Emotional · P = Physical · S = Social · T = Thematic). Reading level and age range are rated separately. How we rate
Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
6/10Engaging read with solid pacing and interesting themes.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Tuesdays at the Castle Series
Tuesdays at the Castle
Jessica Day George
Tuesdays at the Castle
Jessica Day George
Wednesdays in the Tower Tuesdays at the Castle
Wednesdays in the Tower Tuesdays at the Castle
Fridays with the wizards
Jessica Day George
Fridays with the wizards
Jessica Day George
Saturdays at Sea
Jessica Day George
Saturdays at Sea
Jessica Day George
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781619632998
- Pages
- 212
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 48,832
- Read-Aloud
- ~5h 26m
- Text Density
- Standard