This story is a lie
Tom Pollock
This story is a lie
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Tom Pollock
The text is written at a 7th 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
He’s racing through the crowded streets, heart pounding, clutching a secret that could change everything. The world around him blurs as whispers of a conspiracy close in. Suddenly, a shadowy figure appears—what will happen next?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade thriller follows a teen math prodigy who becomes entangled in a dangerous conspiracy following an attempt on his mother's life. The story explores themes of family bonds, panic attacks, and the power of secrets, making it suitable for readers ages 9-12 who enjoy suspenseful, thought-provoking fiction. Parents should note the presence of anxiety-related content and tense situations.
Why we rated This story is a lie 12ME
This story is a lie is written at a Level 7 reading level across 326 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 8.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, This story is a lie works for readers up to grade 9.0.
We rate This story is a lie 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, 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, This story is a lie explores brothers and sisters, panic attacks, secrets, fiction, and genius — 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 brothers and sisters, panic attacks, secrets.
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
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
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
3/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781616959111
- Pages
- 326
- Publisher
- Soho Press, Incorporated
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction