Big game
Dan Smith
Big game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Dan Smith
The text is written at a 6th 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
Crunching leaves and the sharp scent of pine fill the air as footsteps echo through the dense forest. Suddenly, a shadow moves—something wild and mysterious, lurking just beyond sight. Can a boy from a mountain village and the President face the unknown together, or will the wilderness hold secrets too big to tame?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel combines action and adventure with themes of survival and bravery, following a boy hunter who teams up with the U.S. President to confront a mysterious creature amid a terrorist threat. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story contains suspenseful moments and mild peril but avoids graphic content. The book also serves as a movie tie-in, offering an engaging experience for young readers interested in thrilling wilderness adventures.
Why we rated Big game 11MP
Big game is written at a Level 6 reading level across 263 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Big game works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Big game as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril — 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, Big game explores adventure, survival, boys & men, and media tie-in — 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 adventure, survival, boys & men.
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
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
2/10A 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
- 9780545766357
- Pages
- 263
- Publisher
- Chicken House
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction