The truth lies here
Lindsey Klingele
The truth lies here
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Lindsey Klingele
The text is written at a 8th 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
Here’s a secret: in Bone Lake, things aren’t as normal as they seem. People disappear, strange men in black suits show up, and even memories start to vanish. But that’s only the beginning.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel blends mystery and paranormal fiction as Penny Hardjoy investigates her missing father and a series of strange events in a small town. With themes of murder, missing persons, and extraterrestrial phenomena, it offers an eerie and suspenseful story suitable for readers aged 9-12. The book contains some spooky moments and mild peril but is balanced with humor and friendship.
Why we rated The truth lies here 12ME
The truth lies here is written at a Level 8 reading level across 401 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 9.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, The truth lies here works for readers up to grade 10.0.
We rate The truth lies here as 12ME ("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, physical peril, thematic difficulty — 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 moderate intensity score.
Thematically, The truth lies here explores mystery, adventure, friendship, paranormal fiction, and journalism — 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about mystery, adventure, friendship.
Maybe not for
- ! Readers who get easily upset by emotional or moderately dark scenes — the conflict here is real, not just background flavor.
For Parents
Content Intensity
12ME — Moderate — EmotionalReal stakes and emotional weight. May include sustained danger, loss, or bullying.
Was our "Moderate" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
3/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
2/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9780062380395
- Pages
- 401
- Publisher
- HarperTeen
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction