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Beige

(2007, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Cecil Castellucci)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Good girl finds inner punk -- OK, but not rockin'.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Not an issue.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Katy kisses a boy at a party. Her father's girlfriend is a burlesque dancer who tells Katy sexy dancing "totally gets your dad hot." Katy's dad talks about how he wanted to have "wild sex" with her (then teen) mom when he met her.
  • Language:

    Characters use swear words, including "bitch" and "f--k."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teens drink at a party, one until she throws up. Katy's parents are recovering addicts and Lake's mom died of an overdose.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Beige

Parents need to know that Katy's parents are recovering drug addicts, and her dad still gets tempted. There's also some swearing, underage drinking at a teen party, and some heavy kissing.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about addiction and its place in the entertainment industry. Why do so many stars have drinking and drug problems? Do you think it would be hard to be in a glamorous scene without developing a problem? How much impact do you think wild celebs have on the teens who look up to them? Do they have a responsibility to be better role models?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    Hmm, IIINNNTerest ing

    Seems okay, nothing SHOCKING... Nothing really, MIND POISONING. I would read it if I had nothing better to do...

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Michigan
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

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