The Witches (2009) Parents Guide: Is the book OK for kids?
Age Rating, Sex, Violence & Language
A young boy and his Norwegian grandmother, who is an expert on witches, together foil a witches' plot to destroy the world's children by turning them into mice.
Middle Grade • 2009 • 208 pages • Lexile 600L (roughly grades 2–3 reading difficulty)
The Witches is a dark fantasy that earns its recommendation based on Roald Dahl's signature brand of grotesque horror and genuine peril. While it is a classic children's adventure, parents should be aware of the high-stakes violence (children being permanently transformed and hunted) and the distinctively creepy descriptions of the witches' physical deformities. It is best suited for readers aged 8 to 12 who can handle some frightening… Sign up for the full guide
Is The Witches appropriate for kids?
The Witches is a dark fantasy that earns its recommendation based on Roald Dahl's signature brand of grotesque horror and genuine peril. While it is a classic children's adventure, parents should be aware of the high-stakes violence (children being permanently transformed and… Read more — free account
Content severity in The Witches
What happens in The Witches, moment by moment
- p. 7 🔥 Mature Themes 4/10
- p. 15 🔥 Mature Themes 2/10
- p. 24 ⚔ Violence & Gore 3/10
Sex and nudity in The Witches
There are no romantic or sexual themes present in this book. The story remains entirely focused on the bond between the young protagonist and his grandmother as they face a supernatural threat. The narrative does not include any physical intimacy, innuendo, or suggestive content. Even the witches' hatred for children is presented as a predatory biological drive rather than anything involving adult concepts. The book is suitable for its target age range in this category, keeping the stakes firmly in the realm of…
Read more — free accountViolence and gore in The Witches
Moderate for middle grade. The book includes several scenes of children undergoing painful transformations, such as the detailed description of bones snapping and skin shrinking in Chapter 14. It also features a scene where a child-mouse has his tail cut off by a chef's knife in Chapter 18, and a climactic sequence where a ballroom full of witches is violently exterminated by hotel staff and cats in Chapter 20. The Grand High Witch is especially brutal, vaporizing her own followers with her eyes. These moments are…
Read more — free accountLanguage in The Witches
Mild. The book contains very little profanity, limited to a few instances of 'hell,' 'idiot,' or 'stupid.' Most of the insults are creative and characteristic of Roald Dahl's style, such as 'foul creatures,' 'beastly,' and 'miserable,' rather than vulgar. The witches use somewhat aggressive language when speaking to one another, reflecting their cruel nature. The narrator and his grandmother speak with a high degree of respect, and the overall frequency of any questionable words is very low. Parents should not…
Read more — free accountDrugs, alcohol, and smoking in The Witches
Very light. Mention of a doctor prescribing medicine (laxatives) and some adult characters drinking wine or spirits at a hotel dinner. In Chapter 13, the grandmother’s health issues require medical attention and she is prescribed medicine for pneumonia, though this is treated as a routine health concern. During the grand dinner sequence at the Hotel Magnificent, adult guests are seen consuming wine and other spirits, reflecting a realistic hotel environment. There is no usage of illegal substances, and the…
Read more — free accountMature themes in The Witches
Heavy themes of grief and mortality include the narrator's parents dying in a car crash at the start and a conclusion where the protagonist accepts he will die within nine years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is The Witches appropriate for kids?
Bontent's parent guide suggests The Witches is best for ages 8+. The Witches is a dark fantasy that earns its recommendation based on Roald Dahl's signature brand of grotesque horror and genuine peril. While it is a classic children's adventure, parents should be aware of the…
What age rating does The Witches have?
Books don't carry official age ratings. The Witches is published for a Middle Grade audience, and Bontent's independent parent guide recommends it for ages 8+.
What reading level is The Witches?
The Witches is 208 pages and its reading level is Lexile 600L (roughly grades 2–3 reading difficulty). Bontent recommends it for ages 8+.
What is The Witches about?
The Witches is a dark fantasy that earns its recommendation based on Roald Dahl's signature brand of grotesque horror and genuine peril. While it is a classic children's adventure, parents should be aware of the high-stakes violence (children being permanently transformed and hunted) and the distinctively creepy…
Is there sex or nudity in The Witches?
There are no romantic or sexual themes present in this book. The story remains entirely focused on the bond between the young protagonist and his grandmother as they face a supernatural threat. The narrative does not include any physical intimacy, innuendo…
How violent is The Witches?
Moderate for middle grade. The book includes several scenes of children undergoing painful transformations, such as the detailed description of bones snapping and skin shrinking in Chapter 14. It also features a scene where a child-mouse has his tail cut off…
Is the language in The Witches appropriate for kids?
Mild. The book contains very little profanity, limited to a few instances of 'hell,' 'idiot,' or 'stupid.' Most of the insults are creative and characteristic of Roald Dahl's style, such as 'foul creatures,' 'beastly,' and 'miserable,' rather than vulgar. The…
Are drugs, alcohol, or smoking depicted in The Witches?
Very light. Mention of a doctor prescribing medicine (laxatives) and some adult characters drinking wine or spirits at a hotel dinner. In Chapter 13, the grandmother’s health issues require medical attention and she is prescribed medicine for pneumonia…
What mature themes appear in The Witches?
Heavy themes of grief and mortality include the narrator's parents dying in a car crash at the start and a conclusion where the protagonist accepts he will die within nine years.
Where can I read the full The Witches parent guide?
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