Mind games
Jeanne Marie Grunwell
Mind games
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jeanne Marie Grunwell
The text is written at a 5th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Six friends in Mr. Ennis's Mad Science Club team up to explore extrasensory perception through their science fair projects. Their experiments take an unexpected turn when their discoveries lead them to win the Maryland lottery, blending science with a dash of mystery and excitement. Together, they learn about teamwork, curiosity, and the thrill of scientific discovery.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 5-6 book with gentle content intensity. No notable content concerns flagged. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Mind games 10C
Mind games is written at a Level 5-6 reading level across 133 pages (approximately 21,850 words). Strong independent readers around grade 6.1 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Mind games works for readers up to grade 7.1.
Read aloud, Mind games runs about 2.4 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Mind games as 10C ("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, Mind games explores science & nature, friendship, school, and adventure — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about science & nature, friendship, school.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
10C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
4/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Mind Readers: The Science of Esp (24/7: Science Behind the Scenes)
Lisa Jo Rudy
Mind Readers: The Science of Esp (24/7: Science Behind the Scenes)
Lisa Jo Rudy
Mind tricks
Joe Fullman
Mind tricks
Joe Fullman
Mind games
Kiersten White
Mind games
Kiersten White
Mind games
H. I. Larry
Mind games
H. I. Larry
Mind Movers
Diane Hard
Mind Movers
Diane Hard
Mindstretchers
John Flatt, Heather Rankin-Eagles
Mindstretchers
John Flatt, Heather Rankin-Eagles
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 0618176721
- Pages
- 133
- Publisher
- Houghton Mifflin Harcourt
- Published
- 2003
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 21,850
- Read-Aloud
- ~2h 26m
- Text Density
- Standard