Lilies & clover
Shelly Johnson-Choong
Lilies & clover
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Shelly Johnson-Choong
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
The scent of fresh clover fills the air as laughter echoes across the schoolyard. Three girls, each with their own dreams and doubts, find a friendship that feels like a warm breeze on a cool day. Together, they explore what it means to be true to themselves and find peace in their beliefs.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the friendship of three high school girls navigating their Christian faith and personal identities. Suitable for ages 9-12, it sensitively addresses themes of self-discovery and religious belief within a school setting. The story promotes understanding and acceptance without intense conflict or mature content.
Why we rated Lilies & clover 9LE
Lilies & clover is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 153 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lilies & clover works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Lilies & clover 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, Lilies & clover explores friendship, christian life, high schools, 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, christian life, high schools.
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
1/10A 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
- 1570083983
- Pages
- 153
- Publisher
- Bookcraft, Incorporated
- Published
- 1998
- Type
- Fiction