Dolores: Seven Stories About Her

Review

Common Sense Media says

Engrossing stories contain mature themes.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this is a series of coming-of-age stories about a likable and strong girl. Each vignette raises an issue, such as dealing with strangers or handling rumors. There is some violence: Dolores is kidnapped -- twice. One time, a kidnapper tries to rape her, but she punches him. But readers will admire her inner strength that shines through in every situation.

  • Educational value2
    The author's a good writer who excels at writing witty dialogue between smart kids. Kids and parents can probe the book's messages -- or check out our "Families Can Talk About" section for some other discussion ideas.
  • Positive messages2
    There are gentle messages in many of these coming-of-age stories about how to deal with bullies, dealing with parents, etc.
  • Positive role models3
    Dolores is a wonderful girl who doesn't fall for mean gossip -- and even takes down a would-be rapist. She may be a bit too good to be true, but readers will admire her strength, and her ability to be just fine by herself.
  • Violence3
    Dolores is kidnapped -- twice. One of her kidnappers tries to rape her, but she punches him. Her brother tackles two would-be kidnappers.
  • Sex1
    References to sexual interest, breast augmentation, and lesbians. Dolores shares a sweet kiss with an admirer.
  • Language1
    A few off-color words.
  • Consumerism1
    Wal-Mart figures prominently in one story, and there are references to popular music throughout.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking2
    Pot smoking in one scene, not by major characters.
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What's the story?

Dolores's life is told in seven vignettes as she grows up from ages seven to 16. Some of these stories have intense themes: At age seven, she is saved from would-be kidnappers who try to abduct her from a Wal-Mart store. And in the end she foils an attempted rape. Other stories involve a mean, popular girl who fails to make her miserable by spreading false rumors and a jerk at a party who has bragged that he will score with her that night.

Is it any good?

 

Two-time Newbery Honor author Bruce Brooks has written something similar -- a life told in a few vignettes -- far better in the breathtaking What Hearts, which got him one of his Newberys. Here the setups are too obviously designed to show us how wonderful the far-too-wonderful Dolores is, and everything, except for her relationship with her mother (and even there she gets off the best zingers), works out too neatly. She even has a heart-to-heart with a surprisingly introspective bully. Still, even in his weaker moments Brooks can write better than most authors at their best. The story is engaging and engrossing, peppered with the witty dialogue of smart kids, something in which the author specializes.

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What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about short story collections. What do you like about them? What makes them more fun than other books -- and more difficult than other books?

  • The book begins and ends with a kidnapping. Why do you think the author chose to construct his book that way? What is the difference in how the two situations work out?

This review was written by Matt Berman

There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title below.
This review was written by Matt Berman
Author:Bruce Brooks
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Coming of Age
Publisher:HarperCollins Children's Books
Publication date:February 22, 2004
Number of pages:135
Hardcover price:$15.95
Publisher's recommended age(s):10 - 14
This review was written by Matt Berman
 

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About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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