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After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away

(2006, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Raw look at loss & addiction best for older teens.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Teen characters in this book use drugs, drink, cut class, and steal. A teen girl is bulimic. Adults are shown out of control with anger and drunkenness. There are drug dealers and crimes committed. However, most bad behavior has appropriate consequences. There are models of love and support in the form of family.

  • Violence:

    A mother and daughter are in a horrific car accident, it is described, including the severe injuries sustained. A father hurts his daughter, she remembers him shaking her when he was angry. A girl is gang raped after a drug and alcohol-fueled party. A girl is intimidated by several older teens and is fearful of retaliation for reporting a crime. A group of young men fight, blood splatter is described.

  • Sex:

    Teenagers are sexually active and there is sexual innuendo. A high school boy has a young son.

  • Language:

    Average teen swearing.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Oxycotin, marijuana, meth, alcohol, drug dealers -- it's all here.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About After the Wreck, I Picked Myself Up, Spread My Wings, and Flew Away

Parents need to know this book deals with heavy issues: a parent's death, addiction, depression, gang rape, and recovery. A description of a car wreck is particularly graphic and various drugs are abused, bought, and sold by teens.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about any of the biggie topics presented here: dealing with the loss of a loved one, the dangers of prescription medication, dangerous friends, rape, and recovery. In what ways did Jenna punish herself for her mother's death? What do you know about the dangers of prescription medicine abuse? What deaths in the news can be attributed to prescription medicines?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    norderik29
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0

    Being Exposed Can Be GOOD!

    I really liked it and it shows kids and teens what really can go on in the world. Although you dont want to expose your kids to some of the things in this book such as alcohol, sex, violence, rape, and gangs, being exposed to these things can help teens know to stay away from people like this. It also shows them the negative consequences that came out of the situation.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Adult Reviewer
    xjaclynhartx
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Loved it!

    Great book, I couldn't put it down! I suggest this book!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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