The Clique
Lisi Harrison
The Clique
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
A Novel
by Lisi Harrison
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.
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About This Book
Massie Block isn’t just any girl—she’s the queen of the coolest clique at Octavian Country Day School. But when Claire Lyons, the new girl from Florida, moves in right under Massie’s nose, everything starts to change. Can Claire survive the drama and maybe even shake up the social throne?
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores the complex social dynamics of a private school through the eyes of Massie Block, the popular clique leader, and Claire Lyons, the outsider trying to fit in. It portrays themes of friendship, social status, and self-identity with some mild high school drama and rivalry. Suitable for teens aged 13-18, the book includes typical adolescent conflicts without explicit content.
Why we rated The Clique 11MS
The Clique is written at a Level 6 reading level across 224 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 11MS ("Moderate — Social") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. The strongest signals come from social complexity — these are the dimensions parents should evaluate against their reader's tolerance.
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, humor, and social justice — 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
11MS — Moderate — 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780689872990
- Pages
- 224
- Publisher
- Simon & Schuster
- Published
- June 4, 2007
- Type
- Fiction