When We Were Magic
Sarah Gailey
When We Were Magic
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sarah Gailey
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of burning candles fills the air as magic crackles unpredictably around six friends. Their secret powers bind them tightly, but when a spell goes terribly wrong, everything changes in an instant. Now, they must face the weight of their choices—and the tangled feelings that come with it.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores themes of friendship, love, and the challenges of wielding secret magical powers. It delves into complex emotions such as jealousy and insecurity, set against a contemporary backdrop with LGBTQ+ representation. The story includes intense moments involving accidental death and consequences of magical mistakes, making it suitable for mature teens.
Why we rated When We Were Magic 12IE
When We Were Magic is written at a Level 8 reading level across 497 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, When We Were Magic works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate When We Were Magic as 12IE ("Intense — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. 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: Accidental Death, Complex Emotional Themes.
Thematically, When We Were Magic explores lgbtq+ representation, friendship, romance, contemporary, and magic — 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 lgbtq+ representation, friendship, romance.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 13+ — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children currently coping with grief — the themes may hit close to home.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12IE — Intense — EmotionalHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9781432876999
- Pages
- 497
- Publisher
- Thorndike Striving Reader
- Published
- 2020
- Type
- Fiction