 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Lying Game
- By Sara Shepard
- Genre: Mystery
Common Sense Media says
Suspenseful series starter full of pranks and mean girls.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is the first book in a series written by the same author who penned Pretty Little Liars. Like that series, this one features a group of rich, popular, label-loving Mean Girls who backstab each other and pull pranks. At the heart of this book is the murder of a teen girl -- and her twin is in constant danger as she tries to solve the crime, suspecting Sutton's sister, friends, and more. Emma is a bit of an outsider, and is shocked by the girl's behavior, providing readers with a more relatable narrator than many of these kinds of books -- but the pranks are intense enough that the author includes a plea to her readers to "please don't try any of these Lying Game pranks at home."
What's the story?
A mistreated foster girl learns that she has an identical twin living a privileged, popular girl's life not far away -- then discovers Sutton's been secretly murdered. Assuming her identity, Emma is soon living a life of luxury, but is being threatened by her twin's killer. Soon, she starts suspecting everyone in her twin's prank-playing clique, including Sutton's own younger sister. The book is narrated by the dead Sutton, who admits she is the "trickiest member of The Lying Game by far."
Is it any good?
Readers familiar with the genre should know what to expect: The girls in Sutton's clique shop, throw elaborate parties, steal boyfriends, and plan mean pranks. Emma is an outsider -- she shops at second-hand stores! -- and is shocked by the girls' pranks, calling the clique's Lying Game "scary and intense and way too dangerous." This makes her a bit more relatable narrator than many of these
kinds of books. Plus, the suspense is really pretty good; readers will suspect everyone that Emma does as she goes from one precarious situation to another. Not much new ground is covered here -- and nothing is tied up at the end -- but readers who like these kinds of books will find this to be fluffy fun.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the popularity of the clique lit series. Why do you think books like the Gossip Girl books and The Clique series are so popular with readers? Are these just guilty pleasures -- or do readers learn something from these books?
Emma learns about her long-lost twin after seeing a video of her posted on YouTube. Parents may want to check out Common Sense Media's YouTube advice for parents, and take this opportunity to discuss their own house rules with kids.
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AGE
I loved this book, i'm fourteen now. Trust me, by the age of thirteen, most teenagers know a lot more than you think. This book is definitely not iffy for anyone over 16.
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AGE
perfect for older kids and tween
i loved the book! it might be a little inoproriate for kids 10 and under but otherwise its an awesome book emma is a great roll modle!
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AGE
Seriously?! Come on, who rates the things on this website?
I really don't know, but they need to step out of that little box they live in and come to the real world. This book is iffy for a 17 year old?! That's absurd! Girls MY age face this kind of stuff thats in the book throughout daily life! I read it, and there really wasn't anything that bad. And don't think I'm the kind of kid who gets to read or watch whatever. That's definetely not the case. Many books I want to read I'm not allowed. But this book was perfectly appropriate for girls around my age.
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AGE
What is up with ABC Family and Sara Shepard???
First Pretty Little Liars, and now they're adapting The Lying Game into a TV show? It hasn't even been out for like, 6 months yet! Jumping the shark much? The book was okay. I don't like it as much as PLL (The PLL books are totally different than the show) but this might be promising if it is adapted well.
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AGE
AMAZINGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!=)
i loved this book and I'm 13 this should be rated lower for about... on for 12+ its really suspenseful! Emma is a great roll model because she knows which decision is the best!
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AGE
perfect for middle school girls 6th grade and up
i love this book and my cusins and i love it 2
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AGE
Excellent, well-written read for 6th grade and up
The Lying Game is a well-written guilty pleasure novel that is an enjoyable and entertaining read for 6th grade and up. Kids will enjoy the fun details of the wealthy and privileged. Your children should be smart enough to realize that this is guilty pleasure fiction and should not be taken seriously. A+
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AGE
Good for older tweens, and teenagers.
This book is great. Two characters almost have sex at one part, but the girl decides that it's just not right. Some of the language is bad, and the pranks are just ridiculous, but if your kids are mature enough, they should be fine.
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AGE
I am really enjoying this book. So far it does have a good plot. It does have some language though. Really good book I recommend it.
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| Author: | Sara Shepard |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Mystery |
| Publisher: | HarperTeen |
| Publication date: | December 7, 2010 |
| Number of pages: | 320 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
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