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The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious Book 2)

Age rating, content warnings & parent guide

Maureen Johnson · 2019

Is The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious Book 2) appropriate for your child? See the reviewed age guidance, content cautions, positive themes, and supporting evidence below.

Explore the age guidance, content cautions, positive qualities, and supporting notes for The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious Book 2) by Maureen Johnson. This book is content notes include Death of a character, Frightening scenes, LGBTQIA characters; positive qualities include Courage & resilience, Creativity & curiosity.

Book 2 · Truly DeviousSource checked

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10-second decision

Is this likely to fit your family?

Age guidanceNot listed
Strongest cautionsDeath of a character 3/5 · Frightening scenes 3/5 · LGBTQIA characters 2/5
Strongest positivesCourage & resilience 4/5 · Creativity & curiosity 4/5
Series positionBook 2 · Truly Devious
Recommendation3.5/5

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

This is the quick scan. Open the evidence and methodology below for the basis behind each rating.

Quick context

What parents should know

Courage & resilience; strongest caution: death of a character.

Readiness snapshotMain watch-out: Death of a character 3/5
Recommendation 3.5/5

Editorial rating

How this review was built

Dickens & Rumi editorial
Source checkedPublication method
16Scored categories
16Evidence notes
0Explicit 0/5 checks
Nov 2, 2026Last updated

Dickens & Rumi describes what is present; families decide what matters to them. Community reactions are kept separate from official content ratings.

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Review depth16 scored categories16 evidence notes
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At a glance

Recommended ageNot listed

Strongest cautions

  • Death of a character3/5
  • Frightening scenes3/5
  • LGBTQIA characters2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Diverse representation3/5

Reading order

Series progression

All known volumes are shown. Reviewed books include age guidance and cautions; books still being reviewed are clearly marked.

Next volumeBook 3 · The Hand on the WallStrongest cautions: Death of a character 4/5 · Frightening scenes 4/5Open next review →
  1. Book 1 · TRULY DEVIOUSAges 14+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5Violence3/5Graphic injury2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Products & advertising1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Starting point
  2. Book 2 · THE VANISHING STAIRAges 13+
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler
  3. Book 2 · The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious Book 2)
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Violence2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets gentler
  4. Book 3 · The Hand on the Wall
    Death of a character4/5Frightening scenes4/5LGBTQIA characters3/5Romance3/5Violence3/5Strong language2/5Alcohol or drugs1/5Graphic injury1/5Sexual content & nudity1/5
    Gets more intense
  5. Book 4 · THE BOX IN THE WOODSAges 14+
    Death of a character3/5Frightening scenes3/5Violence3/5Alcohol or drugs2/5LGBTQIA characters2/5Romance2/5Strong language2/5Graphic injury1/5
    Gets gentler

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What’s in it?

Death of a character3/5
Why this rating?

Deaths, including a historic murder central to the series mystery, are discussed and investigated; grief and danger have emotional weight.

Graphic injury1/5
Why this rating?

Minimal gore; injuries and deaths are discussed after the fact.

Strong language2/5
Why this rating?

Occasional mild swearing consistent with high school settings.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

Includes LGBTQIA characters in a respectful, secondary manner.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Features age-appropriate adolescent crushes and blossoming relationships.

Frightening scenes3/5
Why this rating?

The isolated school setting, hidden secrets, threats, and murder investigation create sustained suspense and occasional frightening scenes.

Sexual content & nudity1/5
Why this rating?

Contains very mild innuendo typical of the YA genre.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Minor references to alcohol use in social settings.

Violence2/5
Why this rating?

Contains non-graphic threats and mentions of past murders.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

The protagonist demonstrates significant bravery in pursuing the truth.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

The intricate clues, secret histories, puzzles, and investigative problem-solving strongly encourage curiosity and imaginative deduction.

Diverse representation3/5
Why this rating?

Features a diverse cast of students with varied backgrounds.

Educational value1/5
Why this rating?

Highlights aspects of true crime investigation and historical context.

Kindness & empathy2/5
Why this rating?

Characters show support for friends in difficult situations.

Positive messages3/5
Why this rating?

Promotes curiosity, analytical thinking, and perseverance.

Good role models3/5
Why this rating?

Characters are generally intelligent and motivated, though sometimes impulsive.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How did the story approach death or loss? What helped the characters cope?
  3. Which choice in The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious Book 2) would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in The Vanishing Stair (Truly Devious Book 2), and what caused that change?
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Community perspective — separate from editorial ratings

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These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

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