Truth and nothing but
Stephanie Perry Moore
Truth and nothing but
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Stephanie Perry Moore
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
What happens when your family's future depends on every move you make? The Sharp sisters are bold and fierce, trying to shine while their dad runs for mayor. But when Sloan starts digging into school secrets, will she uncover the truth or get buried in silence?
Themes
Quick Assessment
This middle-grade novel follows the Sharp sisters, daughters of a mayoral candidate, navigating the pressures of high school and public scrutiny. Sloan, aspiring journalist, attempts to expose corruption at her school while balancing family expectations. Suitable for ages 9-12, it addresses themes of integrity, family dynamics, and social challenges with age-appropriate content and no explicit material.
Why we rated Truth and nothing but 9LE
Truth and nothing but is written at a Level 4-5 reading level across 153 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 5.5 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, Truth and nothing but works for readers up to grade 6.5.
We rate Truth and nothing but 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, Truth and nothing but explores family, friendship, coming of age, social justice, 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.
- ✓ 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 family, friendship, 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
4/10Good conversation starter with themes worth exploring together.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
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Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781467746588
- Pages
- 153
- Publisher
- Lerner Publishing Group
- Published
- 2014
- Type
- Fiction