Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
A game of chase
Marcus Emerson
A game of chase
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marcus Emerson
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Chase Cooper is back with another diary full of ninja adventures and middle school mysteries. When science fair projects start disappearing and turning up ruined, Chase finds himself caught in a wild treasure hunt to save the day. Packed with humor and suspense, this story keeps readers guessing who’s behind the chaos at school.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. Content themes include mild peril. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated A game of chase 9C
A game of chase is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 146 pages (approximately 28,260 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.8 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A game of chase works for readers up to grade 6.8.
Read aloud, A game of chase runs about 3.1 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate A game of chase as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril.
Thematically, A game of chase explores middle school, friendship, humor, adventure, and school life — 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.
- ✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about middle school, friendship, humor.
- ✓ Readers who fall hard for one book and want a long series to live in — there is one more book in the Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja series.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Content Flags
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
7/10High engagement — fast-paced, fun, and hard to put down. Great for reluctant readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
More in the Diary of a 6th Grade Ninja Series
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781493636150
- Pages
- 146
- Publisher
- CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 28,260
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 8m
- Text Density
- Standard