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White magic

Kelly Easton

Cover of White magic

White magic

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

Spells to Hold You : a Novel

by Kelly Easton

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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.

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About This Book

What if magic could fill the gaps in your life? In sunny Santa Monica, three high school girls decide to create their own coven, hoping to find something more than just everyday school life. But when their spells start to stir unexpected changes, will they get what they wished for—or something else entirely?

Themes

WitchcraftHigh schoolsFriendshipAdventure

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction follows three high school girls in Santa Monica who form a coven, exploring themes of friendship and self-discovery through the lens of witchcraft. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story gently introduces magical elements and the dynamics of school life without intense conflict or mature content. Parents should know the book includes fantasy magic but maintains a light, age-appropriate tone.

Why we rated White magic 9LE

White magic is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 193 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, White magic works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate White magic 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, White magic explores witchcraft, high schools, friendship, and adventure — 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.
  • Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
  • Kids drawn to stories about witchcraft, high schools, friendship.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

9LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Clear
Thematic
Light

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

2/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
4
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
4
World Scope
3
Data Confidence
7

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Details

Book Length

193 pages
ISBN
9780375837692
Pages
193
Publisher
Wendy Lamb Books
Published
2007
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

WitchcraftHigh SchoolsSchoolsFriendshipSanta Monica

Places

Santa Monica (Calif.)