Poison is not polite
Robin Stevens
Poison is not polite
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Wells and Wong Mystery
by Robin Stevens
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 clock strikes eight as Hazel and Daisy sneak into a grand manor, whispers of poison swirling in the air. Suddenly, a chilling scream cuts through the night—someone has been poisoned, and the mystery deepens. Who can they trust when danger lurks behind every door?
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery follows Hazel and Daisy as they unravel a poisoning case set in a British manor. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story features themes of friendship and suspense with mild peril. Parents should note the presence of a murder investigation handled in an age-appropriate manner.
Why we rated Poison is not polite 12LE
Poison is not polite is written at a Level 7 reading level across 321 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Poison is not polite works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate Poison is not polite 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, Poison is not polite explores friendship, mystery, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, mystery, multicultural.
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
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781481422154
- Pages
- 321
- Publisher
- Simon and Schuster
- Published
- 2016
- Type
- Fiction