What reading level is Fake me a match?

Fake me a match by Lauren Barnholdt is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 750L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Fake me a match appropriate for?

Fake me a match is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9C (Clear).

What genre is Fake me a match?

Fake me a match is fiction — Juvenile Nonfiction.

Does Fake me a match have any content warnings?

Fake me a match has a HootRating of 9C (Clear). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Fake me a match?

Fake me a match by Lauren Barnholdt is 273 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated September 7, 2026

Fake me a match

Lauren Barnholdt

Fake me a match

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Lauren Barnholdt

Reading Level 4-5 9C Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for middle graders (ages 9–12), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.

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About This Book

Avery LaDuke is the mastermind behind the school’s charity project, but she’s about to shake things up with a matchmaking scheme that could change everything. She’s hacking the online dating service to pair her stepsister and best friend with the hottest guy in school — but what happens when plans spiral out of control? It’s a wild ride that proves sometimes the best matches aren’t the ones you expect.

Themes

Friendship FamilySchoolsMiddle schoolsFundraisingStepsistersDating services

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade novel follows Avery, a thirteen-year-old who takes charge of her school's charity project by managing an online matchmaking service. When she tries to set up her stepsister and best friend with the most popular boy, unexpected complications arise, leading to humorous and heartfelt moments. Appropriate for ages 9-12, the book touches on themes of friendship, family dynamics, and school life without intense content.

Why we rated Fake me a match 9C

Fake me a match is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 750L across 273 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Fake me a match works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Fake me a match as 9C ("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, Fake me a match explores friendship, family, schools, middle schools, and fundraising — 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 friendship, family, schools.

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.