Name Game!
Marissa Moss
Name Game!
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Marissa Moss
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
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About This Book
Daphne has the trickiest name in her whole school, and everyone keeps mixing it up! But she’s about to show why a name isn’t just a word—it’s a big part of who you are. What happens when your teacher forgets your name on the very first day?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This charming early reader explores themes of identity and self-acceptance through Daphne’s experience with her unique name on the first day of fourth grade. It gently addresses the challenges children face with names and the importance of feeling seen and valued. Suitable for ages 5-8, the story is lighthearted and relatable, with no concerning content.
Why we rated Name Game! 8LE
Name Game! is written at a Level 3 reading level across 80 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Name Game! works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Name Game! as 8LE ("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, Name Game! explores family, school, identity & self-discovery, and friendship — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, school, identity & self-discovery.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781442419650
- Pages
- 80
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction