Content report card
Lies We Tell Ourselves parent’s guide: what’s inside
Medium confidence
Some
· 2/5
Threats and violence tied to racism and homophobia; characters fear for their safety due to their race and sexuality; historical context includes references to brutality against Black Americans.
Mild
· 1/5
Period-appropriate slurs and racial epithets used by antagonists; mild profanity.
Some
· 2/5
A tender romance between two female characters including kissing and brief physical intimacy; no explicit sexual content.
Intense
· 5/5
The central plot follows an interracial lesbian romance in an era of intense homophobia and racism; LGBTQ+ identity and coming out are core themes throughout.
Moderate
· 3/5
Pervasive anxiety about discovery, violence, and danger; characters experience fear of being outed; racial harassment and threats create dread; emotional trauma around prejudice and discrimination.
What it offers
Exceptional
· 5/5
Courage to love authentically despite grave risks; standing against injustice; empathy across differences; resilience in the face of systemic oppression.
Exceptional
· 5/5
Both protagonists show moral courage, emotional growth, and commitment to doing what is right despite personal cost; they support each other and others facing discrimination.
A note for parents
This is a historical fiction novel set during school desegregation in 1950s Virginia that centers on a romance between two girls navigating racism and homophobia. The book authentically addresses racial prejudice, segregation, and the dangers LGBTQ+ individuals faced during this era, which creates emotional weight appropriate for mature teen readers. While there is no graphic content, readers encounter slurs, period-typical discrimination, and references to violence against Black Americans and queer people, making it best suited for high schoolers studying this history or those with some prior exposure to these topics.
Analyzed by AI · 1 month ago
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From the publisher
Includes questions for discussions and an excerpt from another novel.
Includes questions for discussions and an excerpt from another novel.
Shelved under
Juvenile Nonfiction
Juvenile Fiction
Young Adult
LGBTQ
Fiction
African Americans
History
Young Adult Fiction
Race relations
Sexual orientation
School integration
High schools
ISBN 9780373212040 · Harlequin
For your family
Is “Lies We Tell Ourselves” appropriate for your kid?
Lies We Tell Ourselves age rating: ready from about age 14.
For younger readers
This historical novel centers on an interracial lesbian romance during 1950s school desegregation, so it includes period-authentic racial slurs, homophobic harassment, and references to violence against Black Americans and queer people—all of which create real emotional weight. The tender romance itself includes kissing and brief physical closeness, but the heavier content is really about the fear and danger the characters face because of their race and sexuality. Reading together can make the historical context and emotional themes more manageable for a younger teen.
LGBTQ+ characters or themes are part of the story (5/5).
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