Pure Fake
Beverly Scudamore
Pure Fake
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Beverly Scudamore
The text is written at a 4th 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
Here’s a secret: Gina does everything to look perfect, from her hair to some surprising choices no one knows about. When Colter, the tall and sporty guy, shows interest, it feels like a dream come true—but there’s a dark side hiding beneath the surface. And that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores themes of self-image and young relationships, following Gina as she navigates the challenges of attraction and personal safety. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it addresses serious issues such as peer pressure and physical danger in a sensitive way, providing opportunities for important conversations about boundaries and trust.
Why we rated Pure Fake 9ME
Pure Fake is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 138 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Pure Fake works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Pure Fake as 9ME ("Moderate — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Moderate" range — moderate conflict that may involve loss, scary scenes, or interpersonal stakes. The strongest signals come from emotional weight, physical peril — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Physical Danger.
Thematically, Pure Fake explores athletics, coming of age, friendship, 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about athletics, coming of age, friendship.
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
9ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Content Flags
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781459405349
- Pages
- 138
- Publisher
- James Lorimer & Company
- Published
- 2013
- Type
- Fiction