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King Dork

(2006, Fiction - School, Written by Frank Portman)

  • 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?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Hilarious but dark view of high school. For teens.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Tom is a smart kid who cares about his family and likes to learn things that interest him, although most of what he's "taught" in school doesn't fall in that category (he's constantly running down the educational system). Lots of bullying and cruel behavior from other kids.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Tom is beaten and bullied, as are other characters. He also beats up a bully. A couple of possible murders or suicides. Much hazing, and nasty boxing matches.

  • Sex:

    Lots of references to teen sex, masturbation, oral sex, child molesters, sodomy, rape, and porn. Tom kisses and fondles a girl and experiences oral sex. An adult character is busted for running a teen sex porn ring.

  • Language:

    Lots of "f--k"s and other swearing, including many offensive sexual words and put-downs.

  • Consumerism:

    Some guitars/musical equipment mentioned by name. Lots of bands/musicians mentioned by name.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Plenty of smoking, drinking, and drugs (both prescription and illegal) used with no consequences by both adults and teens.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About King Dork

Parents need to know that this book is for teens only. Though not overly graphic or explicit, it is filled with references to sex, drugs, and (have to say it) rock 'n' roll. The main teen character experiences oral sex several times, as well as a couple of heavy make-out sessions.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the depiction of high school life here. Are hazing, sex, and drugs as prevalent in your school as they are in the book? Also, there's the unresolved mystery. Based on the evidence in the book, what do you think really happened to Tom's dad?
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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    XoxoKatie
    I rate this title on for age 16 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    napoleonwrasse
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Great book. But full of dark humor.

    Great book! One of the funniest books I have read in a while. Absolutely great. It is more dark humor though, so be for warned. This book is great for mature teens. The is lots of language and sex. As well as some drug use. The sex aspect is described in pretty much full detail. And the language can get pretty strong. But still a great book.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    BestPictureSeeke ...
    Lives in Virginia
    I rate this title on for age 15 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language

    I found this book hard to understand

    At times it was very comical, but there were so many inside jokes "King Dork" constantly brought up and extended to great length that if you missed a page you'd be like: HUH? It's totally surreal in the since of the school worshiping just one book, but it's ideals on bullying are not. This book is loaded with profanities and semi-graphic depections of sex. 15 and up is probably a good starting age to read this book.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    The Review Kid
    Lives in Montana
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 4.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Review Dude
    Lives in Montana
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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