What reading level is Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks)?

Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks) by Alan Gibbons is at a Level 4-5 reading level. Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks) appropriate for?

Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks) is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9ME (Moderate — Emotional).

What genre is Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks)?

Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks) is fiction — Fiction.

Does Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks) have any content warnings?

Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks) has a HootRating of 9ME (Moderate — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks)?

Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks) by Alan Gibbons is 160 pages.

Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks)

Alan Gibbons

Playing with Fire (Dolphin Paperbacks)

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Alan Gibbons

Reading Level 4-5 9ME Ages 9-12 Matched

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

Kev stands staring at the blazing shed, heart pounding, knowing he didn’t mean for the fire to get so out of control. His secret is burning just as hot as the flames — but what happens when everything he’s hiding comes crashing down? Suddenly, Kev’s world is on the edge, and one more spark could change everything.

Themes

Family Coming of Age MysteryEmotional Struggle

Quick Assessment

Playing with Fire by Alan Gibbons is a middle-grade novel about a boy named Kev coping with his parents' divorce and the mistakes he makes while trying to manage his feelings. The story explores themes of family change, emotional struggles, and consequences of actions in a realistic and compassionate manner. Suitable for readers aged 9-12, it includes moments of mild peril and addresses sensitive topics with care.