Tools for this page
Print

Fix

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version
    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Plastic surgery book broaches tough topics.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The characters face the pressures that society puts on women to be beautiful -- and come up with different solutions.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Some of the surgical procedures are described in detail.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Passing references to Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Hummer, Entertainment Weekly, and other magazines.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Cameron and her friends get drunk at a pool party.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Fix was written by Kate Pavao

Parents need to know that this book deals with teen plastic surgery, including one character's breast augmentation. Some procedures -- and side effects -- are detailed. The author brings up lots of issues about beauty, body image, and surgery but leaves it up to her readers to come to their own conclusions, just as her characters do.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about the two sisters in the book. They're both born with the same nose, but Allie is happy with who she is, and Cameron feels better after she's made changes. Who do you relate to more? Parents also can use this book as a way to talk about beauty standards and body image. Here's a roundup of Common Sense resources that can help.
Did this review help you decide?

Is it a keeper for your kids?

Have you read it? Review It!

More on Fix

Book Summary

The book follows two sisters who are both considering plastic surgery. Overachieving Cameron, who became popular after a nose job, now wants breast implants. Meanwhile, Allie, a down-to-earth soccer player, isn't sure she wants the nose job that everyone is insisting will make her beautiful.

Is It Any Good?

Sure, it's fiction, but FIX is really less of a novel and more of a book to get readers thinking about teen plastic surgery. There are statistics about procedures, descriptions of side effects, and pretty much every female character in the story has gotten -- or is about to get -- something worked on.

Readers will appreciate that the author doesn't judge the characters. She knows that girls often are in a tough spot because of societal pressures -- Cameron's junior high school life really was hell, and her nose was a, um, big reason why. It's easy to understand both characters' obsession with beauty and their sometimes painful decisions to change their looks. The writing isn't always elegant, but the topics raised in Fix can help parents talk to their daughters about a range of body-image issues.

Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Simon Pulse, Publication date: 11/29/2006
Number of pages: 256, Price: $6.99 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 14, Read Alone: 14

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

What did you think about Fix?

or

to post a review

See all 2 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    perfect for teenagers, not for 12 or under... :)

    i loved this book. its at my school library (6th to 8th grade).. i didn't think anything was bad about it.... i mean, i'm 13 almost 14 and i think its okay for people 12- 13+.... or mature late 12.. MAYBE... NOT for people 12 or under though... they might not "understand" some of the topics

  2. Parent Reviewer
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0

    high school drama

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Now Playing

    Avatar

    Avatar

    Action-heavy epic has dazzling effects, familiar story.

  • Tech Tip

    What parents need to know.YouTube and Your Kid

    What parents need to know.

  • Book of the Week

    Beautiful Creatures

    Beautiful Creatures

    Dreamy, lyrical supernatural Southern romance.

  • Pick of the Week

    Sites for Haiti

    Sites for Haiti

    Help kids get involved.

  • Game of the Week

    Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

    Reader Rabbit Kindergarten

    Fave brainy bunny hops to DS for learning romp that talks.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends

This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.

Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.

Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name