Lie
Glasko Klein
Lie
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Glasko Klein
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 mild with minimal sensitive material.
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About This Book
What if you could live the same day twice? Leanna is sure she can fix everything after her best friend Jenny’s embarrassing tennis tryout. But when she gets a second chance, will telling the truth make things better—or worse?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade fiction explores themes of friendship, honesty, and personal growth through the story of Leanna, who encourages her friend Jenny to try out for the tennis team. After an embarrassing moment at tryouts, Leanna gets a chance to relive the day and reconsider her choices. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book handles school and friendship dynamics with relatable emotional moments and no concerning content.
Why we rated Lie 9LE
Lie is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 104 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lie works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Lie as 9LE ("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, Lie explores friendship, schools, sports, and coming of age — 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, schools, sports.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
2/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781541540323
- Pages
- 104
- Publisher
- Darby Creek TM
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Fiction