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The Clique: The Manga

Lisi Harrison

Cover of The Clique: The Manga

The Clique: The Manga

Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide

by Lisi Harrison

Reading Level 4-5 9MS Ages 9-12 Balanced Read

The text is written at a 4th 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

Claire steps into the bustling halls of Octavian Country Day School, her heart pounding as whispers and curious stares follow her every move. Suddenly, Massie Block, the queen bee of the school, blocks her path with a glare that could freeze fire. Can Claire stand her ground, or will the battle for popularity just begin?

Themes

FriendshipSchool storiesSocial classesMiddle schoolsAdaptations

Quick Assessment

This middle-grade fiction follows Claire Lyons as she navigates the social challenges of a prestigious private school while living under the same roof as the reigning 'it' girl, Massie Block. Suitable for ages 9-12, the story explores themes of friendship, social hierarchy, and self-confidence in a school setting. Parents should note that the book addresses typical middle school social dynamics and peer pressure but in a light, age-appropriate manner.

Why we rated The Clique: The Manga 9MS

The Clique: The Manga is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 193 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The Clique: The Manga works for readers up to grade 6.5.

We rate The Clique: The Manga as 9MS ("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: The Manga explores friendship, school stories, social classes, middle schools, and adaptations — 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, school stories, social classes.
  • Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.

Maybe not for

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

For Parents

Content Intensity

9MS — Moderate — Social
Emotional
Light
Physical
Clear
Social
Moderate
Thematic
Light

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

1/10

A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.

Book DNA

Multi-dimensional content fingerprint

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

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Details

Book Length

193 pages
ISBN
9780759530294
Pages
193
Publisher
Yen Press LLC
Published
2010
Type
Nonfiction

Genres

Subjects

School StoriesAdaptationsMiddle SchoolsSocial ClassesSchoolsCartoons and ComicsCliquesComic Books, StripsTeenage GirlsHigh School StudentsComics & Graphic Novels, Manga, General

People

Lisi Harrison

Places

Westchester County (N.Y.)WestchesterNew York (State)Westchester (N.Y.)