This gorgeous game
Donna Freitas
This gorgeous game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Donna Freitas
The text is written at a 6th 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.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if winning a writing contest leads to more than just fame? Olivia is thrilled when her favorite author and local priest picks her for a special class and personal help. But soon, the friendly lessons turn into confusing messages and unexpected gifts—what's really going on?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows 17-year-old Olivia as she navigates a complicated relationship with a local priest who mentors her after she wins a writing contest. The story explores themes of trust and boundaries within teacher-student dynamics, appropriate for readers aged 9-12. Parents should be aware of mature themes involving power imbalance and emotional tension.
Why we rated This gorgeous game 11ME
This gorgeous game is written at a Level 6 reading level across 208 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This gorgeous game works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate This gorgeous game as 11ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Teacher-student relationship, Power dynamics.
Thematically, This gorgeous game explores coming of age, teacher-student relationship, juvenile fiction, and colleges and universities — 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.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about coming of age, teacher-student relationship, juvenile fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
This gorgeous game
Donna Freitas
This gorgeous game
Donna Freitas
Head games
Mariah Fredericks
Head games
Mariah Fredericks
Games
Carol Gorman
Games
Carol Gorman
The Dating Game
Natalie Standiford
The Dating Game
Natalie Standiford
Such a Good Girl
Amanda K. Morgan
Such a Good Girl
Amanda K. Morgan
The contest
Caroline Stellings
The contest
Caroline Stellings
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780312674403
- Pages
- 208
- Publisher
- Square Fish
- Published
- 2011
- Type
- Fiction