Assassination generation
Dave Grossman
Assassination generation
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Video Games, Aggression, and the Psychology of Killing
by Dave Grossman
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is intense and may include graphic or distressing scenes.
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About This Book
Here's a secret: some video games aren't just games—they might be changing how people think and act in scary ways. Imagine if playing could make someone believe violence is normal, but that's only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This nonfiction book explores the connection between violent video games and mass shootings, highlighting real-life tragedies and scientific research. It is intended for mature middle-grade readers (ages 9-12) and may be intense due to its discussion of violence and social issues. Parents should be aware of the serious themes and consider their child's sensitivity to such content.
Why we rated Assassination generation 11IS
Assassination generation is written at a Level 6 reading level across 264 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Assassination generation works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Assassination generation as 11IS ("Intense — Social") because the content sits in the "Intense" range — intense conflict including peril, frightening scenes, or emotionally heavy themes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Violence, Social Issues.
Thematically, Assassination generation explores violence, social justice, science & nature, and media influence — 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 violence, social justice, science & nature.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Sensitive readers who get overwhelmed by intense conflict or scary scenes.
- ! Children younger than 9-12 — the content intensity is above what most younger kids can process comfortably.
- ! Children who are sensitive to violence, even when handled at age-appropriate levels.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11IS — Intense — SocialHeavy themes explored in depth. War, death, abuse addressed directly.
Content Flags
Was our "Intense" 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
- 9780316265935
- Pages
- 264
- Publisher
- Little, Brown
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Nonfiction