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If You Only Knew

(1998, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Rachel Vail)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 12; suggested age 11.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Sensitive, frank portrayal of average 7th-grader.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 11–12

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Zoe copies another student's homework, lies to her friends and family, and breaks a major family rule.

  • Violence:

    Zoe's father and sister have numerous intense verbal arguments, one of which borders on physical violence.

  • Sex:

    Zoe's father calls Zoe's sister a whore. Zoe insults a boy by referring to his "thing." Menstruation is mentioned in conversation.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About If You Only Knew

Parents need to know that sometimes scenes and characters lack background and context, but the protagonist is well-developed. Readers will anticipate the next series entry after reaching the unresolved ending.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the book's heroine. Do you relate to Zoe? How so? Consider one of the issues she struggles with in this book: If you were her friend, what advice would you give her?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    I rate this title iffy for age 11 and give it 5.0

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