To tell the truth.
Janet Dailey
To tell the truth.
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Janet Dailey
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
I have a secret to tell you — Andrea met Tell at a casino, and their holiday was full of fun and skiing. But when Tell’s words make her eyes look haunted, you know things aren’t as easy as they seem. And Andrea’s secret? Well, that’s only the beginning.
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade romance novel follows Andrea’s emotional journey during a skiing holiday in Oregon, where a chance meeting with Tell leads to deep feelings and a secret that could change everything. Suitable for ages 9-12, it explores themes of young love and trust with gentle emotional complexity and no explicit content.
Why we rated To tell the truth. 9LE
To tell the truth. is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 188 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, To tell the truth. works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate To tell the truth. as 9LE ("Light — Emotional") because the content sits in the "Mild" range — mild conflict — the kind a child encounters in normal play and sibling life. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly mild; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the mild intensity score.
Thematically, To tell the truth. explores romance, family, 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.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about romance, family, coming of age.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
9LE — Light — EmotionalLight conflict or tension. Mild peril resolved quickly.
Was our "Mild" 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
- 0263092178
- Pages
- 188
- Publisher
- Mills & Boon
- Published
- 1977
- Type
- Fiction