Etched in Lies
A. M. Hughes
Etched in Lies
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by A. M. Hughes
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.
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About This Book
The sharp scent of ink fills the air as secrets are scribbled onto crumpled pages. Every whisper and shadow hides a truth someone wants to keep buried. What happens when the lies start to unravel, leaving hearts exposed and trust shattered?
Quick Assessment
Etched in Lies follows a middle-grade protagonist on a journey to uncover painful truths hidden beneath layers of deception. Suitable for ages 9-12, this fiction book explores themes of trust and resilience with sensitivity. Parents should note the story involves emotional challenges related to secrets and honesty.
Why we rated Etched in Lies 11ME
Etched in Lies is written at a Level 6 reading level across 248 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Etched in Lies works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Etched in Lies 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 — 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, Etched in Lies explores friendship, coming of age, family, and mystery — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, coming of age, 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
11ME — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781782799566
- Pages
- 248
- Publisher
- Lodestone Books
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction