The boyfriend trick
Stephie Davis
The boyfriend trick
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stephie Davis
The text is written at a 6th 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
What if you told a little white lie to avoid going to a dance alone, and suddenly it snowballed into having not one, but two imaginary boyfriends? Imagine juggling secrets, crushes, and the fear of being caught, all while trying to find the courage to be yourself. Can a girl caught in her own story find a way to the dance floor with real confidence?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel explores the social pressures of dating and fitting in at school through the humorous and relatable story of a girl who fabricates boyfriends to avoid attending a school dance alone. Suitable for ages 9-12, it touches on themes of honesty, self-esteem, and peer relationships with lighthearted comedy and minimal conflict. Parents can expect a gentle portrayal of early adolescent social dynamics without mature content.
Why we rated The boyfriend trick 11LS
The boyfriend trick is written at a Level 6 reading level across 212 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The boyfriend trick works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The boyfriend trick as 11LS ("Light — Social") 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, The boyfriend trick explores friendship, coming of age, family, humor, and romance — 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, coming of age, family.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
11LS — Light — SocialLight 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
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780061143090
- Pages
- 212
- Publisher
- HarperCollins
- Published
- 2007
- Type
- Fiction