Witches
Lana Santorelli
Witches
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The Ludus: Book One
by Lana Santorelli
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
Have witches really disappeared, or are some hiding in plain sight? Roo doesn't feel like a witch, yet she can change the world around her in mysterious ways and sense the energy of all living things. When a witch hunter arrives and her sister is possessed, Roo must face dangers that could change everything—what will she do next?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fantasy novel follows Roo, a young woman hiding her witch powers in a world that believes witches are extinct. As Roo grapples with identity, friendship, and danger from a witch hunter, the story explores themes of self-discovery and trust. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains moderate fantasy peril and emotional challenges but no graphic content.
Why we rated Witches 12ME
Witches is written at a Level 8 reading level across 426 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Witches works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Witches 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 — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, Witches explores fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age, family, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about fantasy world-building, friendship, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! 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.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781450719117
- Pages
- 426
- Publisher
- Independent Publisher
- Published
- 2010
- Type
- Fiction