Everything but the truth
Mandy Hubbard
Everything but the truth
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
An If Only Novel
by Mandy Hubbard
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
The soft hum of luxury cars and the sweet scent of blooming roses fill the air at the grand retirement home on Mercer Island. Holly moves quietly through this world of glittering wealth, hiding the truth about who she really is. When Malik, a grandson of a resident, mistakes her for one of the elite, her secret feels like a fragile dream—but what happens when feelings grow deeper than the lies?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows Holly Mathews, a girl living in a wealthy retirement community where her mother works, who pretends to be a visitor to fit in with Malik Buchanan, a resident’s grandson. The story explores themes of identity, social class, and young love, suitable for ages 9-12. There is light deception involved but no intense content, making it a gentle read about navigating complex social situations and emotions.
Why we rated Everything but the truth 11LE
Everything but the truth is written at a Level 6 reading level across 270 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Everything but the truth works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate Everything but the truth as 11LE ("Light — Emotional") 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.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, Everything but the truth explores family, coming of age, romance, and social justice — 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 family, coming of age, romance.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781484473009
- Pages
- 270
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction