My name is Clary Brown
Charity Blackstock
My name is Clary Brown
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Charity Blackstock
The text is written at a 6th 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
The sharp scent of smoke curls through the quiet village streets, mixing with whispers of old memories and lost friends. Clary Brown steps cautiously, her heart pounding as shadows stretch longer than before. Something dark is waiting, and it’s not just the past she has to face.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction novel follows Clary Brown, a young actress returning to her hometown only to encounter mysterious and unsettling events, including the loss of childhood friends. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of loss and mystery with a suspenseful but age-appropriate tone. Parents should be aware of some emotional intensity linked to themes of death and malevolent forces.
Why we rated My name is Clary Brown 11ME
My name is Clary Brown is written at a Level 6 reading level across 246 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My name is Clary Brown works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate My name is Clary Brown as 11ME ("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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, My name is Clary Brown explores mystery, friendship, family, and coming of age — 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 mystery, friendship, 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
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 039440677X
- Pages
- 246
- Publisher
- Random House (NY)
- Published
- 1976
- Type
- Fiction