Chasing the money
Dennis Foon
Chasing the money
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Play
by Dennis Foon
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The clatter of chips echoes through the crowded room, mixing with whispers of hope and tension. Two teenagers feel the rush of chasing dreams, but the bright lights hide shadows that tug at their hearts. What happens when the game isn’t just fun anymore?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This play explores the challenges of teenage gambling and the pull of addiction in a way that's accessible for early readers. Suitable for ages 5-8, it introduces themes of risk and consequence with sensitivity, though parents should be aware it deals with the topic of compulsive behavior and its emotional impact. The story encourages conversations about choices and the realities behind gambling.
Why we rated Chasing the money 8ME
Chasing the money is written at a Level 3 reading level across 56 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Chasing the money works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Chasing the money as 8ME ("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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Compulsive Gambling.
Thematically, Chasing the money explores coming of age, family, drama, and addiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, family, drama.
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
8ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0921368933
- Pages
- 56
- Publisher
- Playwrights Canada Press
- Published
- 2000
- Type
- Fiction