HootRated mascot HootRated

The Clique

Lisi Harrison

Cover of The Clique

The Clique

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

A Novel

by Lisi Harrison

Reading Level 6 11LE Ages 13+ Balanced Read

The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content is mild with minimal sensitive material.

We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.

About This Book

Nobody in eighth grade rules the school like the girls in The Clique—because they don’t just follow the rules, they make them. These girls control the coolest spots and the hottest gossip at the most exclusive private school in New York. But when new challenges start to shake their perfect world, everything they’ve built is on the line.

Quick Assessment

The Clique explores the social dynamics and challenges faced by teenage girls attending an elite private school. It addresses themes of friendship, popularity, and peer pressure, suitable for readers aged 13 to 18. Parents should be aware that the story includes typical adolescent social conflicts and mild drama common in young adult fiction.

Why we rated The Clique 11LE

The Clique is written at a Level 6 reading level across 220 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Clique works for readers up to grade 8.0.

We rate The Clique as 11LE ("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, The Clique explores friendship, coming of age, family, social justice, and multicultural — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.

Good fit for

  • Children in the Ages 13+ 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 friendship, coming of age, family.

Maybe not for

  • ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.

For Parents

Content Intensity

11LE — Light — Emotional
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Light
Thematic
Clear

Light conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.

Data confidence: standard

Was our "Mild" content intensity rating accurate for this book?

Reading Insights

Hook Factor

1/10

A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.

Discussion Potential

4/10

Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

Vocabulary Level
5
Emotional Weight
4
Theme Richness
5
World Scope
9
Data Confidence
7

Similar Books

Based on content and theme analysis

See all books like this →

Details

Book Length

220 pages
ISBN
9780316040839
Pages
220
Publisher
Poppy Books
Published
2008
Type
Fiction

Genres

Subjects

Young Adult FictionTeenage GirlsPrivate SchoolsFemale FriendshipSchoolsCliquesNew York

Places

Westchester County (N.Y.)WestchesterWestchester CountyNew York (State)