Power Play
Beth McMullen
Power Play
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Beth McMullen
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if your favorite video game was actually a cover for a secret mission? Abby and her friends dive into a thrilling adventure that takes them all the way to London. But when a famous game creator is kidnapped, will they be able to stop a plot that could change everything?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade adventure follows Abby and her friends as they embark on their first official mission from their spy school, facing challenges that include hacking, international travel, and a mysterious kidnapping. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story emphasizes teamwork, problem-solving, and courage, with light suspense and action appropriate for this age group.
Why we rated Power Play 12LP
Power Play is written at a Level 7 reading level across 304 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Power Play works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Power Play as 12LP ("Light — Physical") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Power Play explores adventure, friendship, teamwork, mystery, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about adventure, friendship, teamwork.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A 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
- 9781481490245
- Pages
- 304
- Publisher
- Aladdin
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction