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The Brimstone Journals

(2004, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Ron Koertge)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Students tell events leading up to school attack.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Virulent racism, bullying, mistreatment of girls.
  • Violence:

    Lots of weapons, a planned but thwarted school assault. Some beatings referred to but not described.
  • Sex:

    References to condoms and "doing it." Two teens have sex, not graphic, and a teen girl has sex with a number of married older men, not described.
  • Language:

    An array of four-letter words, and racial and sexual epithets.
  • Consumerism:

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

    References to doobies, joints, "blazing up," and underage drinking. A father gives his son beer.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Brimstone Journals

Parents need to know that this examines the harsh world of high school in an easy-to-read format that works well to lead reluctant readers into passionate discussion. The narrators chronicle events leading up to a planned school attack. There's lots of sensitive material here.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the students' focus on everyday issues, neglecting the larger threat they see looming. Do you recognize any of these voices from your school? Do you identify with any of them?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Anyone been thru high school will understand this.

    There will be a character you will associate yourself with if not actually relate too. Very moving and sad to know that even if we try to help there will be others that won't get it.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    Kept me reading

    i loved this bok ive read all other books of his b4 like the stoner and spaz and absolutly loved the book and i found this book to be very..realistic even if people think this sorta stuff dusnt happin or dusnt go threw teens minds some of it actualy dus and it makes sence to write a book about it.

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Indiana
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 3.0

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