Money hungry
Sharon G. Flake
Money hungry
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Sharon G. Flake
The text is written at a 4th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Raspberry Hill, a thirteen-year-old girl, carries the weight of her past struggles with homelessness and poverty. She dreams of a better life beyond the projects, but wonders if money alone can change her and her mother's future. This heartfelt story explores the challenges and hopes of growing up in a tough neighborhood.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This is a Level 4-5 book with moderate content intensity. Content themes include poverty & hardship, family, emotional: fear & anxiety. Written for readers ages 9-12.
Why we rated Money hungry 9ME
Money hungry is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 188 pages (approximately 31,592 words). Strong independent readers around grade 5.2 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Money hungry works for readers up to grade 6.2.
Read aloud, Money hungry runs about 3.5 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.
We rate Money hungry as 9ME ("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, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Poverty & Hardship, Family, Emotional: Fear & Anxiety.
Thematically, Money hungry explores inner cities, mothers and daughters, money, african americans, and single-parent families — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about inner cities, mothers and daughters, money.
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
9ME — 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
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Begging for change
Sharon G. Flake
Begging for change
Sharon G. Flake
Begging for Change
Sharon G. Flake
Begging for Change
Sharon G. Flake
Sharon G. Flake Collection, The
Sharon G. Flake
Sharon G. Flake Collection, The
Sharon G. Flake
The Life I'm In
Sharon G. Flake
The Life I'm In
Sharon G. Flake
Poor Mallory
Ann M. Martin
Poor Mallory
Ann M. Martin
The Money Game
Barbara Kimenye
The Money Game
Barbara Kimenye
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 078680548X
- Pages
- 188
- Publisher
- Jump At The Sun
- Published
- 2003
- Type
- Fiction
- Word Count
- 31,592
- Read-Aloud
- ~3h 31m
- Text Density
- Standard