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Cycler

(2008, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Lauren McLaughlin)

  • 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?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Twisted gender ID tale rife with sex-talk topics.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Some students bully a bisexual student, calling him names and even becoming physical at one point. A couple's failed marriage, including their hostile interactions, are often discussed.

  • Violence:

    A bully threatens to beat up a bisexual teen, a friend intervenes and hits the male bully in the crotch. The transformations between girl and boy for the main character can be violent and are described as painful. A teen shaves his head in anger and cuts the skin.

  • Sex:

    Teens have sex, engage in heavy petting, discuss having oral sex and pornography. There are also issues of bisexuality and masturbation. A girl becomes a boy for several days a month and the transformation is described including descriptions of the girl grabbing her penis as she transforms.

  • Language:

    "Bitches," "knuts-ck," "cock," etc.

  • Consumerism:

    British Vogue, the Gap, Nissan, Dolce and Gabbana.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teens smoke cigarrettes and talk about underaged drinking at prom.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Cycler

Parents need to know that there's underage drinking, a broken marriage, homophobia, sex, bisexual friends, and a girl that transforms into a boy every month during her period (well-described). Yep, you heard right. This book is sure to present questions on gay, lesbian, and transgender lifestyles, as well as questions about sex in general.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the differences between the sexes and if the differences are a product of environment or genetics or both. What would you do in Jill/Jack's shoes? How would it make your life more complicated? How is life more difficult for the bisexual student? Families can also talk about the different types of discrimination people can encounter.
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    emma3amanda9
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    I cant wait to buy the sequel !

    AMAZINNGG ! OMG ! I read it in 2 dayss ! I couldnt put it down ! Kinda confusing at the beginning but now I cant wait to but the next onee ! :)

    This review...

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

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