# The Name of the Game Was Murder

**Author:** Joan Lowery Nixon
**Grade range:** Grades 3–8
**Age range:** 8–13
**First published:** 1993
**Page count:** 182
**Genre:** Mystery
**ISBN-13:** `9780440901266`
**ISBN-10:** `0553406604`
**Canonical URL:** https://readinglist.school/book/the-name-of-the-game-was-murder
**License:** [CC BY 4.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) — please credit ReadingList.school when citing.

## About this book

When she visits her great-uncle, a successful and self-centered author, at his fortress-like home on Catalina Island, fifteen-year-old Samantha becomes involved in his manipulative game that leads to murder.

## Themes

- authors
- detective and mystery stories
- murder
- mystery and detective stories

## Where this book is assigned

### Nevada Young Readers' Award

- **recommended** · 3rd grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.librarything.com/award/343.1/Nevada-Young-Readers-Award-Winner)
- **recommended** · 4th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.librarything.com/award/343.1/Nevada-Young-Readers-Award-Winner)
- **recommended** · 5th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.librarything.com/award/343.1/Nevada-Young-Readers-Award-Winner)
- **recommended** · 6th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.librarything.com/award/343.1/Nevada-Young-Readers-Award-Winner)
- **recommended** · 7th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.librarything.com/award/343.1/Nevada-Young-Readers-Award-Winner)
- **recommended** · 8th grade · Nevada — [source: Nevada Young Readers' Award — Nevada's statewide children's-choice reading program (grades 3-83-56-): students read the annual nominees and vote for their favorite. Winner list verified from the award's published record.](https://www.librarything.com/award/343.1/Nevada-Young-Readers-Award-Winner)

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