Book of lies
Teri Terry
Book of lies
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Teri Terry
The text is written at a 8th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if you discovered you had a twin sister you never knew about? Two girls, raised worlds apart, come together at their mother's funeral, each hiding secrets darker than the last. Who holds the dangerous power, and what will happen when the truth comes out?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows twin sisters with very different backgrounds who meet for the first time at their mother's funeral. As they uncover family secrets and mysterious powers, themes of identity, family, and trust are explored in an age-appropriate way for readers ages 9-12. The story contains mild fantasy elements and some suspense but no graphic content.
Why we rated Book of lies 12LP
Book of lies is written at a Level 8 reading level across 427 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Book of lies works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate Book of lies as 12LP ("Light — Physical") 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.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Secrets, Mild Peril.
Thematically, Book of lies explores families, secrets, curses, juvenile fiction, and fiction — 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 families, secrets, curses.
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
12LP — Light — PhysicalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Content Flags
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
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781408334287
- Pages
- 427
- Publisher
- Franklin Watts
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction