My name is Mina
David Almond
My name is Mina
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by David Almond
The text is written at a 7th 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
Mina isn't like other kids—she finds magic in the quiet of the night when the world is asleep. As she writes in her long-forgotten notebook, her imagination takes flight, turning ordinary moments into extraordinary adventures. What secrets will Mina uncover about herself and the world around her?
Themes
Quick Assessment
My Name is Mina by David Almond is a beautifully written middle-grade novel that explores the inner world of a thoughtful and imaginative girl who is homeschooled by her single mother. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story uses Mina's nighttime reflections and journal entries to delve into themes of family, self-discovery, and creativity. The book is gentle in tone, with no intense content, making it an excellent choice for children who enjoy lyrical, character-driven fiction.
Why we rated My name is Mina 12LE
My name is Mina is written at a Level 7 reading level across 300 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My name is Mina works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate My name is Mina as 12LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, My name is Mina explores home schooling, eccentrics and eccentricities, mothers and daughters, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about home schooling, eccentrics and eccentricities, mothers and daughters.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — Light — EmotionalNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780375873270
- Pages
- 300
- Publisher
- Yearling
- Published
- 2012
- Type
- Fiction