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English Roses: Too Good to Be True

(2006, Fiction - Friendship, Written by Madonna Madonna, Illustrated by Stacy Peterson)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 8; suggested age 8.
  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Second story joins Madonna's girl clique.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Girls look like models and are cliquey, but they learn to be kind.
  • Violence & scariness:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About English Roses: Too Good to Be True

Parents need to know that the broad message is positive, though subtle suggestions aren't. The characters are skinny, "Twiggy-type" girls, and even the boy characters look like models. The girls agree that "looks are not everything," but it's hard to believe they mean it. This looks like a picture book, but it's bigger and longer and not a story for young children.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about what their kids think of the English Roses: how they dress, how they talk, how they act with one another. Do they understand what the English Roses mean when they say "looks are not everything?" How important are looks to you? Do you relate more to Binah or the other girls? Who would make a better friend? What would you do if your group excluded someone you liked? If you felt excluded, how did you deal with the problem?

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title iffy for age 7 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Great illustrations

  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

  3. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0

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