Common Sense Note
Parents need to know this book features kissing and petting, a character poses nude for an art class drawing, and girls talk about sex toys. One character even describes whipping her boyfriend "with my bra while he lies there in a fetal position and sucks on the heel of my stilettos." There is drinking, drug dealing, and using, and lots of strong language. Some labels are dropped: Red Bull, Starbucks, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Louboutin, plus the names of real hip-hop artists.
Families can talk about young adult books -- like this one -- that feature lots of gritty, mature material. Is it OK for authors to push the envelope if it gets kids reading books? Where's the line? Do authors like Tia Williams promote unhealthy behavior by writing books that make drugs and sex seem so glamorous?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
Book series are popular among teen girls right now -- so why not throw another one at them? This debut, about a group of mostly African-American teens at a New York City performing arts school, has a lot of the familiar trappings: backstabbing friends, closeted characters, absent parents, drugs, sex, fashion. But it does have a fun premise and enough lively dialogue to hook readers who like these never-ending soap opera sagas.
At least these characters are good at something besides shopping, starving themselves, and gossip (though there's plenty of that here, too). They sweat on the dance floor, practice their drama dialogs, etc. Even the drugged-out, popular-but-hollow senior girl is presented as an enormous acting talent.
The big problem with this book -- and a lot of these clique lit series installments -- is that it spews so many storylines. Nothing is resolved here and characters don't really show any real growth. Fans may itch for the next volume, but they really won't have learned anything here.
From The Book
Tangie was experiencing major sensory overload. It was lunchtime, and the packed courtyard of the underclassmen cafeteria was abuzz with Oh-My-God-How-Have-You-Been chatter, the sounds of Hot 97, musical theater majors singing show tunes, and a small group of nebbishy boys and awkward-looking girls practicing music instruments larger than themselves.
It was crazy -- everywhere she looked there were dancers twirling, singers warming up their vocal chords, artists sketching, and actors clutching their hearts and pretending to suffer strokes. Everyone's personality was cranked up to ten. Watching the boisterous, uberconfident Armstrong kids, Tangie couldn't help wondering if she really and truly fit in at this school.
Plot Summary:
Tangie starts school at a New York City performing arts school, ready to dance. But the drama here happens both on and off the stage: uber-popular (but drug-dependent) Eden starts dating a gangsta rapper, rumors abound about a mysterious new girl who claims to be only 14, and even good-girl Tangie finds herself torn between her soul mate and the school's star dancer.
This book packs in plenty of plot: There are closeted gay characters, a diva who is secretly super insecure -- and even a mystery surrounding Tangie's mom's long disappearance from her daughter's life. All the while the kids are dancing and drawing and acting their little hearts out.
Related Books:
Other Girl Clique Series:
Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar
The Invasion of the Boy Snatchers: A Clique Novel by Lisi Harrison
Pretty Little Liars #1 by Sara Shepard
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Ann Brashares
ttfn by Lauren Myracle
| Content | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS | adults | kids | ||
Sexual ContentCharacters make out, pose nude for one another, and talk about sex toys. One character even describes whipping her boyfriend "with my bra while he lies there in a fetal position and sucks on the heel of my stilettos." |
 |
 |
|
|
Violence |
 |
|
|
|
LanguageReaders will find all the biggies here -- and lots of 'em. |
|
|
|
|
Message |
|
|
|
|
Social BehaviorCharacters use one another and gossip about each other. Kids party and mess around -- not that their self-absorbed or absent parents would notice. |
 |
 |
 |
|
CommercialismSome labels are dropped: Red Bull, Starbucks, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Louboutin, plus the names of real real hip-hop artists. |
|
|
|
|
Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoCharacters drink, use drugs (Valium and pot). One character sell drugs. |
|
|
|
|
