The Money Game
Barbara Kimenye
The Money Game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Barbara Kimenye
The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What happens when a game about money turns into a real-life chase? Joshua thinks he's found an easy way to make cash at church, but then the money starts disappearing. Who will end up with the cash, and what will they do next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This story explores themes of honesty and consequences through the actions of Joshua, who collects money illegally, only to have it stolen by others. Suitable for middle-grade to young teen readers, it addresses moral choices and the complexities of trust within a community. Parents should note the depiction of stealing and its impact on relationships.
Why we rated The Money Game 9LE
The Money Game is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 121 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Money Game works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate The Money Game as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") 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, The Money Game explores money, stealing, ethnic - african american, friendship, and moral complexity — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 13+ range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about money, stealing, ethnic - african american.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
The mystery of the marked money
Dan Cohen
The mystery of the marked money
Dan Cohen
Money hungry
Sharon G. Flake
Money hungry
Sharon G. Flake
Money
Jennifer S. Larson
Money
Jennifer S. Larson
Money matters
Barbara Gottfried Hollander
Money matters
Barbara Gottfried Hollander
Money
Caroline Grimshaw
Money
Caroline Grimshaw
Larry Burkett's all about money
Kevin Miller
Larry Burkett's all about money
Kevin Miller
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780791029275
- Pages
- 121
- Publisher
- Chelsea House
- Published
- May 1994
- Type
- Fiction