Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated
Murder is bad manners
Robin Stevens
Murder is bad manners
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Wells and Wong Mystery
by Robin Stevens
The text is written at a 6th 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
What if a quiet boarding school hid a deadly secret? When a mysterious murder shakes the halls, two clever friends must unravel clues before danger strikes again. Can they solve the mystery before it's too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery set in a 1930s English boarding school follows two girls investigating a suspicious death. It combines elements of classic detective stories with themes of friendship and cultural diversity, featuring a Chinese character. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book includes mild peril and explores the concept of murder in a manner appropriate for young readers.
Why we rated Murder is bad manners 11MP
Murder is bad manners is written at a Level 6-7 reading level with a Lexile measure of 910L across 307 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Murder is bad manners works for readers up to grade 8.5.
We rate Murder is bad manners as 11MP ("Moderate — Physical") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from physical peril, 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, Murder is bad manners explores mystery, friendship, boarding schools, multicultural, and juvenile fiction — 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 mystery, friendship, boarding schools.
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
11MP — Moderate — PhysicalReal 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
- 9781481422123
- Pages
- 307
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction
- Lexile
- 910L