My Name Is America
Walter Dean Myers
My Name Is America
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Walter Dean Myers
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.
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About This Book
Here’s a secret: Biddy Owens kept a journal in 1948 while playing for the Birmingham Black Barons, a team where every game was a battle both on and off the field. He faced tough opponents, unfair treatment, and family doubts—but that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows Biddy Owens, a teenage baseball player in 1948, as he journals about his experiences with the Birmingham Black Barons. The story explores themes of racism, family dynamics, and perseverance within the context of the Negro Leagues. Recommended for ages 9-12, it offers a sensitive but realistic portrayal of social challenges during this era.
Why we rated My Name Is America 9ME
My Name Is America is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 192 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My Name Is America works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate My Name Is America 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, My Name Is America explores historical, sports, family, racial discrimination, and coming of age — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers. Each of these themes is concrete enough to seed a real conversation, not just a moral lesson.
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 historical, sports, family.
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.
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
5/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780439554992
- Pages
- 192
- Publisher
- Scholastic
- Published
- November 1, 2003
- Type
- Fiction