Lying Planet
Carol Riggs
Lying Planet
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Carol Riggs
The text is written at a 7th 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 hum of the Machine fills the air, cold and unyielding against your skin. Imagine standing on the edge of freedom, only to discover the world you trust is built on secrets. When Jay uncovers the truth, everything changes — and the fight to save their future begins.
Quick Assessment
Lying Planet is a middle-grade science fiction novel about Jay Lawton, a teenager facing a futuristic Test that will determine his fate in a strict colony. The story explores themes of trust, rebellion, and self-discovery in a controlled society. Suitable for ages 9-12, it contains mild suspense and themes of authority and resistance but no explicit content.
Why we rated Lying Planet 12LE
Lying Planet is written at a Level 7 reading level across 366 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Lying Planet works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Lying Planet as 12LE ("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, Lying Planet explores science & nature, adventure, friendship, coming of age, and family — 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 science & nature, adventure, friendship.
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.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12LE — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781633757578
- Pages
- 366
- Publisher
- Entangled: digiTeen
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction