What reading level is Original Fake?

Original Fake by Kirstin Cronn-Mills is at a Level 4-5 reading level (Lexile 740L). Recommended for Middle Grades readers (Ages 9-12).

What age is Original Fake appropriate for?

Original Fake is recommended for Ages 9-12. HootRating: 9LE (Light — Emotional).

What genre is Original Fake?

Original Fake is nonfiction — Juvenile Nonfiction.

Does Original Fake have any content warnings?

Original Fake has a HootRating of 9LE (Light — Emotional). No specific content flags noted. On HootRated, every book is rated across four dimensions — emotional, physical, social, and thematic — to help parents make informed choices.

How many pages is Original Fake?

Original Fake by Kirstin Cronn-Mills is 352 pages.

Reviewed by HootRated editorial · Last updated July 16, 2026

Original Fake

Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Original Fake

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Reading Level 4-5 9LE Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

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

Frankie Neumann isn’t just any kid—he’s an artist with a secret superpower: turning his feelings into wild, colorful cartoons. While his family dazzles on stage, Frankie shines in a world of ink and paper, proving that being different is the greatest talent of all. And when his art starts to change everything around him, nothing will ever be the same.

Themes

FamilyArt & CreativityComing of Age Multicultural

Quick Assessment

Original Fake follows Frankie Neumann, a quiet and introverted boy from a lively family of performers, as he discovers his unique voice through art and cartoons. Set in Minnesota, this middle-grade novel explores themes of self-expression, family dynamics, and finding confidence in one's individuality. Suitable for ages 9-12, it gently addresses identity and creativity without intense content.

Why we rated Original Fake 9LE

Original Fake is written at a Level 4-5 reading level with a Lexile measure of 740L across 352 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Original Fake works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate Original Fake 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, Original Fake explores family, art & creativity, coming of age, and multicultural — 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.
✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
✓ Kids drawn to stories about family, art & creativity, coming of age.
✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.