book

A TALE OF MAGIC...

Name: A TALE OF MAGIC...
Author: Chris Colfer

Chris Colfer

Brystal Evergreen and her friends use magic to thwart evil. (Ages 8 to 12)

Ages 10+Source checked

Why this age? Fantasy peril, imprisonment, discriminatory laws, deaths, a character's accidental killing of a parent, and emotionally complex themes make this best suited to mature middle-grade readers. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age10+

Strongest cautions

Death of a character3/5
Frightening scenes3/5
Violence3/5

Strongest positives

Courage & resilience4/5
Creativity & curiosity4/5
Diverse representation4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5

Why this rating?

The book is a standalone work of fiction and does not promote commercial products.

Death of a character3/5

Why this rating?

People associated with magic may be executed; defiant characters are killed, and Xanthous accidentally killed his father.

Graphic injury1/5

Why this rating?

Injuries are described in a fantasy context but are generally not graphic or gratuitous.

Strong language1/5

Why this rating?

Very mild language; limited to infrequent name-calling or mild insults.

Romance1/5

Why this rating?

Contains very mild, age-appropriate budding friendships and innocent crushes.

Frightening scenes3/5

Why this rating?

Threats include illegal magic, imprisonment, dangerous magic, cliffs, blizzards, witches, and the frightening Snow Queen.

Violence3/5

Why this rating?

Characters face magical battles, soldiers and witches fight, and Brystal is nearly killed; violence is fantasy-based rather than realistic.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5

Why this rating?

Brystal and her friends repeatedly risk punishment and physical danger to defend others, confront injustice, and help stop the Snow Queen.

Creativity & curiosity4/5

Why this rating?

Magic, magical abilities, imaginative settings, inventive problem-solving, and the defense of creative freedom are central to the story.

Diverse representation4/5

Why this rating?

The story centers marginalized women and magical communities, challenges exclusion, and emphasizes equal rights and acceptance.

Educational value2/5

Why this rating?

Promotes the value of literacy and critical thinking.

Kindness & empathy4/5

Why this rating?

Friendship, helping endangered people, accepting differences, and seeking a fairer society are important throughout the plot.

Positive messages4/5

Why this rating?

The story strongly supports equality, acceptance, inclusion, creative freedom, and challenging discriminatory laws and simplistic good-versus-evil labels.

Good role models4/5

Why this rating?

Brystal and her friends show loyalty, persistence, moral growth, and willingness to help others, while adults' choices also provide cautionary examples.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
Which choice in A TALE OF MAGIC... would you have made differently, and why?
Who changed the most in A TALE OF MAGIC..., and what caused that change?

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