Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Liars, Inc
Paula Stokes
Liars, Inc
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Paula Stokes
The text is written at a 4th 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
Max is hiding the truth again—this time, selling fake permission slips and cover stories to his classmates. Money is rolling in, but when his best friend Preston disappears after using one of their lies, everything spirals out of control. Now Max faces terrifying clues that could change everything.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade psychological thriller follows Max, a boy who starts a business selling lies to classmates, which leads to serious trouble when his friend goes missing. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of honesty, consequences, and friendship with some dark and suspenseful moments. Parents should be aware of themes involving deception and a mysterious disappearance that create a tense atmosphere.
Why we rated Liars, Inc 9ME
Liars, Inc is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 730L across 361 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Liars, Inc works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Liars, Inc as 9ME ("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, thematic difficulty — 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, Liars, Inc explores honesty, friendship, coming of age, mystery, and adoption — 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 honesty, friendship, coming of age.
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
9ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062323286
- Pages
- 361
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 730L