Word play
Lori Goodman
Word play
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
Fun Games for Building Reading and Writing Skills in Children with Learning Differences
by Lori Goodman
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
The game is on, and you're in the middle of a word race! Letters fly everywhere as you try to catch the right ones and build the perfect word, but suddenly, a tricky challenge appears—can you solve it before time runs out?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Word Play offers a fresh, interactive approach to help children aged 9-12 develop reading and writing skills through multi-sensory games that engage touch, sound, and movement. This guide encourages parents to move beyond traditional flashcards and incorporate fun, low-prep activities that make learning enjoyable and effective. Ideal for children who struggle with sitting still, the book fosters positive parent-child participation in literacy development.
Why we rated Word play 11C
Word play is written at a Level 6 reading level across 205 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Word play works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Word play as 11C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, Word play explores reading games, parent participation, learning, education, and fun — 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 reading games, parent participation, learning.
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.
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" 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
Wordplay
Charles Thiesen
Wordplay
Charles Thiesen
Word Play Grades 3-4
Carson Dellosa Publishing
Word Play Grades 3-4
Carson Dellosa Publishing
Word Games
Mari Bolte
Word Games
Mari Bolte
Word Fun (Play and Learn Pads)
Byeway Books
Word Fun (Play and Learn Pads)
Byeway Books
Word Games (Play and Learn Pads)
Byeway Books
Word Games (Play and Learn Pads)
Byeway Books
Make a Word Game Cards (Parents Magazine)
Learning Horizons
Make a Word Game Cards (Parents Magazine)
Learning Horizons
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780071408219
- Pages
- 205
- Publisher
- McGraw Hill Professional
- Published
- 2004
- Type
- Fiction