After the game
Abbi Glines
After the game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Abbi Glines
The text is written at a 7th 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 scent of rain mixes with the dusty air as Riley steps back into the town she once left behind. Whispered rumors follow her every move, and the weight of a secret little girl in her arms makes every step heavier. Can Riley find a place where truth and trust still exist?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction book explores complex themes such as family conflict, trust, and the impact of serious accusations within a community. Suitable for ages 9-12, it touches on sensitive subjects like relationships and family challenges with emotional depth. Parents should be aware of the mature themes involving interpersonal conflict and social judgment.
Why we rated After the game 12ME
After the game is written at a Level 7 reading level across 346 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, After the game works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate After the game as 12ME ("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, social complexity — 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, After the game explores family, man-woman relationships, alzheimer's disease, grandparent and child, and family problems — 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 family, man-woman relationships, alzheimer's disease.
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
12ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481438933
- Pages
- 346
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2017
- Type
- Fiction