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An Abundance of Katherines

(2006, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by John Green)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Comic slacker-geek lit is fun for the right teen.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    One teen character is an American Muslim.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A rather nasty fistfight.
  • Sex:

    None described, but some hinted at; references to orgasm and oral sex, making out.
  • Language:

    Plenty of four-letter words, various euphemisms for the male organ.
  • Consumerism:

    Fast food restaurants, Nicorette.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Beer drinking, chewing tobacco.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About An Abundance of Katherines

Parents need to know that there is plenty of swearing and some references to sex, orgasm, and oral sex. Though the content is mild compared to many young adult novels, it is still best for those in high school and will be enjoyed most by kids who favor quirky, geeky characters.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Colin's central dilemma. What is the relationship between ability and achievement? What does it mean "to matter"?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Funny & Engaging

    "An Abundance of Katherines" is a funny, funny book. I loved the characters; they were relatable, interesting, and three-dimensional. The content of the book stays well within what any normal teen has been exposed to. The occasional sexual joke or cuss is uttered, but for the most part, there's not much questionable in here.

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Okay...

    An Abundance of Katherines had a good story line I guess, but was pretty boring. I couldn't really stay with it at some parts.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Intellectual Tour-de-force for Mature Teens

    Colin -- oh, narcissistic, relatable, somehow-dated-nineteen-girls-to-my-mother's-chagrin Colin. He manages to churn out an equation which actually works (no lie, I tried it twice), has an awesome Arab friend (how is that bad for the message? discrimination, CSM), and knows a lot of the same obscure, awesome stuff I do, only more of it. For a teenager who can take the profanity (for there's lots) and raciness (there's even more of that) without giggling and appreciate the crowning, glorious apothesis of Katherine the Great midway through the book (not to mention anagrams), you'll pick this up and love it to death in one delicious afternoon like I did.

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Iffy...

    An interesting book about a teen "genius" and his best friend. The language was terrible, and a boy witnesses his girlfriend having sex with another boy. Altogether, it was a great story about finding yourself.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Awesome read

    An Abundance of Katherines is an amazing book. There isn't really alot of sexual reference as everone else seems to think. They don't really swear much because they say "fug" instead of.. well.. you know. It's a great book for anyone at least 13 or older. Under 13 might not understand some parts

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