My name is not Friday
Jon Walter
My name is not Friday
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Jon Walter
The text is written at a 7th 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 clink of chains echoes through the sultry air as Samuel’s world shifts beneath his feet. From the quiet orphanage to the harsh fields of the South, every breath carries the weight of danger and hope. Can Samuel hold onto the promise of family in a place where even his name is stolen?
Quick Assessment
This historical fiction novel follows Samuel, a free black boy who is wrongfully sold into slavery during the Civil War after taking the blame for his younger brother's prank. The story explores themes of family, resilience, and survival in a difficult period of American history, suitable for middle-grade readers aged 9 to 12. Parents should be aware of the book's depiction of slavery and the emotional challenges Samuel faces.
Why we rated My name is not Friday 12ME
My name is not Friday is written at a Level 7 reading level across 368 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, My name is not Friday works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate My name is not Friday as 12ME ("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, physical peril, 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 not Friday explores orphans, brothers, juvenile fiction, history, and african americans — 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 orphans, brothers, juvenile fiction.
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
12ME — 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
1/10A 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
- 9780545855228
- Pages
- 368
- Publisher
- David Fickling Books
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction