The lies they tell
Gillian French
The lies they tell
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Gillian French
The text is written at a 6th 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 really happened in the fire that changed Tenney’s Harbor forever? Pearl doesn’t believe the town’s story that her dad started the blaze that destroyed the Garrison family’s home. As she gets closer to Tristan, the last Garrison, secrets start to unravel—but will the truth set them free or put them in danger?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade mystery explores themes of betrayal, social division, and family secrets in a coastal town. Pearl, the protagonist, navigates complex social dynamics while trying to clear her father's name in a case involving arson and tragedy. Suitable for ages 9-12, the book contains some intense moments related to family loss and social conflict, but handles them in an age-appropriate way.
Why we rated The lies they tell 11ME
The lies they tell is written at a Level 6 reading level across 295 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The lies they tell works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate The lies they tell as 11ME ("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: Arson, Betrayal, Family Tragedy.
Thematically, The lies they tell explores friendship, family, mystery, social class, and coming of age — 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.
- ✓ Readers ready to talk through themes after they finish — there's enough substance for a meaningful conversation.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about friendship, family, mystery.
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
11ME — 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
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
- 9780062642585
- Pages
- 295
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction