The big lie
Julie Mayhew
The big lie
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Julie Mayhew
The text is written at a 7th 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 the world you knew was hiding a terrible secret? Imagine living in a place where history is twisted and truth is dangerous. Could one brave girl uncover the big lie before it’s too late?
Themes
Quick Assessment
Set in an alternative history where Nazi ideology dominates England, this middle-grade novel explores themes of rebellion and self-discovery through the eyes of a teenage girl. Appropriate for ages 9-12, it introduces complex ideas about truth and identity in a way that is accessible but may require parental guidance due to the heavy historical context. The story encourages critical thinking about history and morality.
Why we rated The big lie 12ME
The big lie is written at a Level 7 reading level across 323 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The big lie works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate The big lie as 12ME ("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, social complexity, thematic difficulty — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
Specific content flags noted by reviewers: Alternative History, Rebellion, Complex Themes.
Thematically, The big lie explores coming of age, alternative histories, teenage girls, juvenile fiction, and 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 coming of age, alternative histories, teenage girls.
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
12ME — 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781471404702
- Pages
- 323
- Publisher
- Hot Key Books
- Published
- 2015
- Type
- Fiction