What reading level is Game?

Game by Elizabeth Neal is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Game appropriate for?

Game is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

Game is fiction — Young Adult Fiction. Part of the Do-Over series.

Does Game have any content warnings?

Game has a HootRating of 9C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Game?

Game by Elizabeth Neal is 104 pages (approximately 14,913 words).

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated May 18, 2026

Game

Elizabeth Neal

Game

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Elizabeth Neal

Do-Over

Reading Level 4-5 9C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read Page-Turner

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Marcus and Taj have always struggled on the basketball court, but when the last game of the season gives them a shot to prove themselves, everything changes. After a missed opportunity, Marcus is surprised by a mysterious message offering a chance to rewrite the game’s ending. Facing a tough choice, he must decide if fixing his mistake is worth overshadowing his friend's big moment.

Themes

Friendship Sports Family Coming of AgeSchools

Quick Assessment

This is a Level 4-5 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.

Why we rated Game 9C

Game is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 104 pages (approximately 14,913 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.7 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Game works for readers up to grade 6.7.

Read aloud, Game runs about 1.7 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate Game as 9C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.

No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.

Thematically, Game explores friendship, sports, family, coming of age, and schools — 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.
✓ Reluctant readers who need fast-paced, hook-heavy stories to stay engaged.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, sports, family.

Maybe not for

! Readers whose emotional readiness lags behind their decoding skills — this book's intensity outruns its reading level, a classic "gifted kid" mismatch.