This wicked game
Michelle Zink
This wicked game
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Michelle Zink
The text is written at a 7th 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
The sharp scent of burning sage fills the air as Claire’s fingers tremble over ancient charms. Shadows flicker, whispering secrets from her voodoo past, pulling her deeper into a world where curses can unravel everything she holds dear. Fear and hope twist together — can she protect her family and the boy she loves before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows 17-year-old Claire, who must confront her voodoo heritage to protect her family from a dangerous curse. The story blends elements of faith, magic, and revenge in a suspenseful narrative suitable for ages 9-12, with themes that explore cultural heritage and personal courage. Parents should note moderate themes of supernatural danger and emotional tension.
Why we rated This wicked game 12ME
This wicked game is written at a Level 7 reading level across 350 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This wicked game works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate This wicked game as 12ME ("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, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the moderate intensity score.
Thematically, This wicked game explores faith, adventure, family, fantasy world-building, and revenge — 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 faith, adventure, family.
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
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780803737747
- Pages
- 350
- Publisher
- Dial Books
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction