The dark game

The dark game is written at a Level 9-10 reading level across 248 pages (approximately 44,400 words). Strong independent readers around grade 10.6 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The dark game works for readers up to grade 11.6.

Read aloud, The dark game runs about 4.9 hours — long enough to span several bedtime sessions.

We rate The dark game as 14LP ("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.

Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Mild Peril, Historical Conflict.

Thematically, The dark game explores espionage, american history, adventure, and historical — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.