What Are Hoaxes and Lies?
Matt Doeden
What Are Hoaxes and Lies?
Age Rating, Reading Level & Content Guide
by Matt Doeden
The text is written at a 2nd grade reading level, the subject matter is intended for younger children (ages 5–8), and the content is gentle with no concerning themes.
We may earn a commission from these links. Bookshop.org supports independent bookstores with every purchase.
About This Book
Not everything you hear or see is true—some stories are tricks! Discover how sneaky hoaxes have fooled people long ago and even today, and why knowing the truth helps you stay smart and safe.
Themes
Quick Assessment
This early reader introduces young children to the concept of hoaxes and lies through simple examples and clear explanations. It encourages critical thinking skills by teaching how to recognize deception in everyday information. Suitable for ages 5-8, it presents psychological concepts in an accessible and age-appropriate way without any distressing content.
Why we rated What Are Hoaxes and Lies? 7C
What Are Hoaxes and Lies? is written at a Level 2 reading level across 32 pages. Strong independent readers around grade 3.0 can typically handle this book on their own; with parent or teacher support, What Are Hoaxes and Lies? works for readers up to grade 4.0.
We rate What Are Hoaxes and Lies? as 7C ("Clear") because the content sits in the "Gentle" range — no conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Across our four dimensions (emotional, physical, social, thematic) the book reads as evenly gentle; no single dimension stands out as a concern.
No specific content flags were raised by community reviewers, which is consistent with the gentle intensity score.
Thematically, What Are Hoaxes and Lies? explores psychology, juvenile literature, and critical thinking — these threads give the book room to mean different things to different readers.
Good fit for
- ✓ Children in the Ages 5-8 range — the maturity and attention span match the story's pacing.
- ✓ Patient readers who enjoy slower, character-driven stories.
- ✓ Kids drawn to stories about psychology, juvenile literature, critical thinking.
- ✓ Curious kids who prefer real-world topics over made-up stories.
Maybe not for
- ! Reluctant readers who need a fast hook — the pacing here rewards patience.
For Parents
Content Intensity
7C — ClearNo conflict beyond everyday childhood experiences. Safe for sensitive readers.
Was our "Gentle" content intensity rating accurate for this book?
Reading Insights
Hook Factor
1/10A steady, thoughtful read that rewards patient readers.
Discussion Potential
1/10A lighter read — great for independent enjoyment.
Book DNA
Multi-dimensional content fingerprint
Similar Books
Based on content and theme analysis
Hoaxes, Fibs, and Fakes (The Real Deal)
Lisa Thompson
Hoaxes, Fibs, and Fakes (The Real Deal)
Lisa Thompson
How Do You Know It's True?
David Klein
How Do You Know It's True?
David Klein
The Hoaxes (The Unexplained)
Judith Herbst
The Hoaxes (The Unexplained)
Judith Herbst
Fakes and Hoaxes
Sarah Levete
Fakes and Hoaxes
Sarah Levete
World's greatest hoaxes
Paul B. Janeczko
World's greatest hoaxes
Paul B. Janeczko
Seeing Through Internet Hoaxes
Fiona Young-Brown
Seeing Through Internet Hoaxes
Fiona Young-Brown
Details
Book Length
- ISBN
- 9781541574731
- Pages
- 32
- Publisher
- Lerner Publications TM
- Published
- 2019
- Type
- Nonfiction