The Witches

Name: The Witches
Author: Roald Dahl

Read with caution

Some content parents may want to preview or discuss.

Pages: 208
Published: 1983
Reading level: middle-grade
Ages: 9–12
Grades: 4–6

About the book

A boy discovers a coven of real witches plotting against children.

AI summary

Classic Dahl. Contains actual witches (evil, not glamorized) and one death. Discuss with sensitive kids.

Why parents choose this book

What makes The Witches worth choosing

An honest, parent-first look at who this book suits, what it offers, and what to know before you buy.

Best for

Age range: 9–12 (fits siblings across a range).
Reading maturity: Middle grade — richer plots and vocabulary with age-appropriate themes.
Kids who tend to love it: Courage, Family, Fantasy, Chapter Books.
Personality fit: big-imagination kids who love new worlds.

Parents love this book because

Written by Roald Dahl, whose books parents return to for consistently thoughtful storytelling.

Your child will probably enjoy The Witches if they…

Love magic, dragons, or fantasy worlds
Enjoy adventure and quests

This book helps develop

Vocabulary, sustained attention, and reading confidence for the 9–12 age band.

Things parents should know

Violence: clear on-page conflict without lingering detail.
Language: clean language throughout.

Reading commitment

Estimated reading time

About 5 hours of total reading

Length

208 pages

Difficulty

Middle grade

Works as read-aloud

Works, but often chosen by independent readers

Good for independent readers

Yes — suits confident readers in the age band

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Why we recommend it

We recommend The Witches for the 9–12 age band with a small heads-up on content — worth previewing or discussing. It leans into fantasy in a way that feels genuine, not formulaic. Roald Dahl's voice is what makes it stick: readable, respectful of kids, and easy to hand to the next child in the family.