Liar! the True Story of David Mortimore Baxter
Karen Tayleur
Liar! the True Story of David Mortimore Baxter
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
The True Story of David Mortimore Baxter (David Mortimer Baxter)
by Karen Tayleur
Illustrated by Brann Garvey
The text is written at a 3rd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
What if you couldn’t stop telling lies, even when you wanted to tell the truth? Imagine how tricky it would be to keep friends and stay out of trouble when your stories keep growing bigger and bigger. Would you find a way to fix the mess before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This fictional story follows a young boy who struggles with telling lies and the complications that arise from it. Suitable for early readers around ages 5-8, it addresses social values through a humorous lens, encouraging discussions about honesty and consequences. There is no intense content, making it appropriate for young children learning about truthfulness.
Why we rated Liar! the True Story of David Mortimore Baxter 8LE
Liar! the True Story of David Mortimore Baxter is written at a Level 3 reading level across 71 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 4.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Liar! the True Story of David Mortimore Baxter works for readers up to grade 5.0.
We rate Liar! the True Story of David Mortimore Baxter as 8LE ("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, Liar! the True Story of David Mortimore Baxter explores social issues - values, humorous stories, fiction, and children's books/ages 9-12 fiction — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about social issues - values, humorous stories, fiction.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
8LE — 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
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Liars, Inc
Paula Stokes
Liars, Inc
Paula Stokes
Liar of Kudzu
Bob Schooley
Liar of Kudzu
Bob Schooley
Liar! (David Mortimore Baxter)
Karen Tayleur
Liar! (David Mortimore Baxter)
Karen Tayleur
The Truth!
Karen Tayleur
The Truth!
Karen Tayleur
Lying
Catherine Rondina
Lying
Catherine Rondina
How to Deal with Lying
Rachel Lynette
How to Deal with Lying
Rachel Lynette
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781598890747
- Pages
- 71
- Publisher
- Capstone
- Published
- August 2006
- Type
- Fiction