To be honest
Maggie Ann Martin
To be honest
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Maggie Ann Martin
The text is written at a 6th grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for teens (ages 13+), and the content has moderate intensity with some emotionally heavy themes.
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About This Book
The soft rustle of pages and the sharp scent of freshly sharpened pencils fill the air as Savannah walks the halls of her school. Her mother’s constant worries about weight buzz in her mind like a relentless drumbeat, while a new boy with kind eyes hides his own secrets behind a shy smile. In a world where everyone’s battling something unseen, can Savannah find the courage to be honest with herself?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This young adult novel explores the challenges of body image and self-acceptance through the eyes of a teenage girl whose mother pressures her about weight. It sensitively portrays the emotional struggles of adolescence, including insecurities and family dynamics, suitable for readers aged 13 to 18. Parents should note the themes of body image concerns and the importance of empathy and understanding during this developmental stage.
Why we rated To be honest 11ME
To be honest is written at a Level 6 reading level across 293 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 7.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, To be honest works for readers up to grade 8.0.
We rate To be honest 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 — 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, To be honest explores body image, family, coming of age, young adult fiction, and high school students — 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 body image, family, coming of age.
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.
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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781250183156
- Pages
- 293
- Publisher
- Swoon Reads
- Published
- 2018
- Type
- Fiction