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The It Girl

(2006, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Cecily von Ziegesar)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.
  • Is it any good?

    2.0
  • Common Sense says

    Same bad-girl 'tude in Gossip Girl spinoff.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A student has an affair with a faculty member. One character bribes another with luxury items.
  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Sexual rumors, drunken kissing, a boyfriend and girlfriend almost have sex after he sneaks into her room (condoms are mentioned). Most disturbing is a near-sexual encounter between a faculty member and a student.
  • Language:

    Some swearing, including f--k.
  • Consumerism:

    Lots of products are mentioned: Tiffany, Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, even Red Bull and Marlboro Lights.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Characters drink as well as smoke cigarettes and pot.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The It Girl

Parents need to know that this spinoff of the Gossip Girl series has many of the same controversial elements as her first series. Characters are materialistic and manipulative, and they drink, smoke pot, swear, and engage in some sexual acts (there's even a relationship between a student and a teacher).

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about why the publisher created a spin-off series. What does it mean that the book was created by Cecily von Ziegesar -- not written by her? They also may want to talk to their kids about the number of brand names mentioned here. The cover model's clothes are even advertised on the inside flap. Are you supposed to envy these rich kids enough to want to be like them -- even dress like them?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    • My highlights are:
    • Good role models

    The It Girl

    I like how Jenny trys to leave her Upper East Side life and trys to start with a new slate . Jenny was always my favorite Gossip Girl character and didn't like how people judged her by her breast size. I have no clue what the books moral is but I still think it's really good!It made me LMAO.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Negative role models

    Great book for teens!

    Great book! I laughed a lot! I am a teen, and do not do anything of the things mentionned in the book, but found it very entertaining. It's FICTION!!

  3. I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0

    Perfect for Older Teens 15+ :)

    I love it, I am a teen and i dont drink or have a boyfriend, but the thing is that these things happen out there and parents shouldn't ignore this because it can make it worse for the kids, you have to be honest with them and teach them right from wrong or else they wont know how to deal with situations like these. i like this book because it doesnt make says it how it is and i love the scandal i would definetly recommend this to any teen and also to lovers of Gossip Girl!! :P xoxoxoxoxox

  4. I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Its a great book, if you are under 15 I recommend it-only if your that mature.

    i think that this book is really good. i'm 13 and I love it! I think that all the sexual content/drugs(it talks about ecstasy but thats about it)/cigarettes are inappropriate, but if you are mature enough to know that 'everything they're doing is bad and i am never going to do this as long as i live because they're not role models' then u should be o.k.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 14 and give it 5.0

    loved it!

    It was an awesome book! I cant wait for the second one! It may not be appropriate for children under 13 because there are some mature subjects in the book. ex. sex, drinking, and drugs. Other than that it was great.

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