What reading level is William and the witch's riddle?

William and the witch's riddle by Shutta Crum is at a Level 3 reading level (Lexile 520L). Recommended for Lower Grades readers (Ages 5-8).

What age is William and the witch's riddle appropriate for?

William and the witch's riddle is recommended for Ages 5-8. HootRating: 8LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is William and the witch's riddle?

William and the witch's riddle is fiction — JUVENILE FICTION.

Does William and the witch's riddle have any content warnings?

William and the witch's riddle has a HootRating of 8LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is William and the witch's riddle?

William and the witch's riddle by Shutta Crum is 280 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

William and the witch's riddle

Shutta Crum

William and the witch's riddle

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Shutta Crum

Illustrated by Wildish, Lee, illustrator

Reading Level 3 8LE Ages 5-8 Matched

The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

Find on Amazon Listen on Audible

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

The sharp scent of pine fills the air as William creeps through the shadowy forest, the crunch of twigs underfoot loud in the silence. A mysterious voice whispers a riddle that could break a curse older than time itself. With his family’s fate hanging in the balance, every word pulses with hope and fear.

Themes

RiddlesAdventure FamilyFantasy

Quick Assessment

This early reader adventure follows William as he faces a witch’s riddle to save his family from a longstanding curse. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story blends suspense and problem-solving with themes of bravery and family loyalty. The language and content are appropriate for young readers, with mild tension that resolves positively.

Why we rated William and the witch's riddle 8LE

William and the witch's riddle is written at a Level 3 reading level with a Lexile measure of 520L across 280 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, William and the witch's riddle works for readers up to grade 5.0.

We rate William and the witch's riddle as 8LE ("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, William and the witch's riddle explores riddles, adventure, family, and fantasy — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about riddles, adventure, family.