A name earned
Tim Tingle
A name earned
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tim Tingle
The text is written at a 4th 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
The sharp squeak of sneakers on the basketball court fills the air, mixing with the faint scent of pine from the nearby woods. Bobby feels the rough grip of the ball in his hands and remembers the stories his coach told about earning your name through your choices. But with challenges closing in, can Bobby keep the doors to trouble firmly shut?
Themes
Quick Assessment
A Name Earned follows Bobby Byington, a young boy navigating the complexities of family healing, friendship, and bullying while embracing his Native American heritage. Suitable for ages 9-12, this middle-grade novel addresses themes of overcoming adversity, personal growth, and the power of community support. The story includes sensitive topics such as alcoholism and bullying but presents them in an age-appropriate and hopeful manner.
Why we rated A name earned 9ME
A name earned is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 137 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, A name earned works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate A name earned as 9ME ("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 — 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, A name earned explores families, choctaw indians, basketball stories, fathers and sons, and friendship — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about families, choctaw indians, basketball stories.
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
9ME — 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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781939053183
- Pages
- 137
- Publisher
- Pathfinders
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction