Common Sense Note
Parents should know that characters in these books drink, smoke, do drugs, throw parties, and have sex. Their party lifestyle is glamorized (and their own parents are permissive about their drinking); sex is not graphic, but it isn't always equated with love, either. Also, brand names run throughout, from high-end clothing designers to skin products to alcohol brands.
Families who decide to let their teens read these books might want to talk about the popularity of the series. What do books like these do for their readers? Are they simply guilty pleasures, or do they have lessons to teach? How are you supposed to feel about the rich characters -- envy them, hate them, feel sorry for them? What do you think of all the materialism? Does it make you want labels, or make you think they're shallow?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
This is really superficial stuff, but it's no wonder it's such a hit. These rich kids' designer lives are the stuff we've all fantasized about. It's just as easy to relish the high moments (Serena hooks up with a rock star, Dan and Vanessa finally get it on) as it is the disasters (Blair dates her Yale interviewer, only to find out he's the married father of one of her classmates, Nate gets busted trying to buy pot in Central Park).
The GossipGirl.net interludes are the perfect device, because they remind readers of our place in the whole mess: We are not these characters. We are not their friends. We are simply gawkers.
While none of the characters are particularly noble, it's fun watching them throw fabulous benefits (complete with Kate Spade gift bags!) or jet off to a tropical island for the holidays. The author expertly weaves their various storylines together for maximum energy. But do your kids -- the ones you trust not to take this world too seriously -- really have to read the whole series? Probably just one or two will do. They're really fairly similar, except for the fabulous outfits, of course.
From The Book
From Because I'm Worth It:
Here on the Upper East Side we all know the cure for the drearies: one of Jedediah Angel's crazy-sexy party dresses, a pair of black satin Manolos, the new "Ready or Not" red lipstick you can only get at Bendel's, a good Brazilian bikini wax, and a generous slathering of Estèe Lauder self-tanner, in case your St. Barts tan left over from Christmas Break has finally faded. Most of us are second-semester seniors -- at last. Our college applications are in and our schedules are light, with a double free period every day during which we can catch a Fashion Week runway show or head back to a friend's penthouse apartment to drink skinny lattes, smoke cigarettes, and help pick out the evening's screw-homework party outfit.
Plot Summary:
Manhattan's young, rich, and beautiful throw parties, fall in love, and stress about getting into Ivy League colleges -- all while wearing designer clothes. Their comings and goings are recorded by a secret spy within their fold on GossipGirl.net.
The seven books currently in this series (number eight is due for release in Oct.) follow bitchy Blair, earthy Serena, stoner Nate, edgy Dan and Vanessa, cute Jenny (and others in their circle). Beyond fancy vacations and charity events, they get glam in other ways: Serena models for a hot designer and Dan publishes a poem in The New Yorker. And then there are the inevitable romances: Nate and Blair. Dan and Serena. Nate and Jenny. Dan and Vanessa. You get the picture.
Books reviewed in this series include
Gossip Girl
All I Want Is Everything
Because I'm Worth It
Related Books:
Other Girls with Glamorous Lives:
Gingerbread by Rachel Cohn
The Rise and Fall of a 10th Grade Social Climber by Lauren Mechling and Laura Moser
Guitar Girl by Sarra Manning
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Sexual ContentA naked Blair opens the door to her boyfriend, anticipating their first time; Vanessa and Dan have sex, and Nate confesses he slept with Serena. Some girl-on-girl kissing, and Blair hooks up with an older man. |
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LanguageSwearing sprinkled throughout, but not abusive. |
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Social BehaviorOne character is bulimic, one is a stoner, and one got kicked out of school for not showing up for the start of term. |
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CommercialismBarneys, Chanel, Tocca, Marc Jacobs, Estee Lauder, Ketel One, Veuve Clicquot, etc. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoLots of cigarette smoking and drinking. Nate smokes pot, and meets a pill popper in rehab. |
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