Common Sense Note
Parents should 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).
Families who read this book may want to talk to their kids 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?
Common Sense Review
Reviewed By: Kate Pavao
Say what you will about the Gossip Girl books: they are pretty trashy, but at least they are funny, and they seemed fresh, at least at the start. In contrast, this first installment of a new spinoff series pretty much recycles the same material, only it's set in a new location, and -- believe it or not -- lacks the depth.
Some teens may get sucked in by the labels, the parties, the romance -- including the disturbing romance between Brett and the Disciplinary Committee advisor (he whisks her away to his family's mansion -- in an airplane! -- serves her wine and asks her to tell him all about herself). But really this book doesn't have much to offer. It's probably safe to assume that the rest of the series won't either.
Plot Summary:
Jenny Humphrey is back and she's going to boarding school. When this character from the Gossip Girl series heads to an exclusive co-ed institution in upstate New York, she immediately lands both in the room of the school's most popular pair -- and in a world of trouble.
Rumors follow her, and when she gets trapped in a late-night scandal, she could be expelled. Meanwhile her roommates have their own struggles: Callie tries to navigate her troubled relationship, and Brett gets involved with a young, rich faculty member. And of course there's the requisite flirting, bribing, partying, and pranking rounding this novel out.
Related Books:
Books by Cecily von Ziegesar:
The Gossip Girl series
Other Guilty Pleasure Series:
The Clique series by Lisi Harrison
The A-List novels by Zoey Dean
The Au Pairs by Melissa de la Cruz
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Sexual ContentSexual 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. |
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LanguageSome swearing, including f--k. |
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Social BehaviorA student has an affair with a faculty member. One character bribes another with luxury items. |
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CommercialismLots of products are mentioned: Tiffany, Chanel, Manolo Blahnik, even Red Bull and Marlboro Lights. |
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Drug/Alcohol/TobaccoCharacters drink as well as smoke cigarettes and pot. |
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