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Lock and Key

(2008, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Sarah Dessen)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 13, age appropriate for kids over 15; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Dessen unlocks another angsty teen bestseller.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Teens cope with abusive parents; Ruby's mother deserts her. Ruby cuts school to get drunk (but feels badly afterward for disappointing her guardians). She tries to run away from her sister's house. Ruby's sister works through high school to pay for college and becomes a successful lawyer. Ruby applies herself in school, hires a calculus tutor, and gets accepted to college.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Mentions of children/teens slapped, hit, and shoved by their parents; the psychological after-effects are described in detail.
  • Sex:

    Ruby has sex with her casual boyfriend; it is not explicit but they are not in a committed relationship. She catches her friend having sex with the same guy.
  • Language:

    "S--t," "pissed," "bitch," "skank."
  • Consumerism:

    A character is CEO of a fictional MySpace-like social-networking company called UMe.com; a few product references (Diet Coke, BMW, Visine).
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Ruby buys and smokes pot and drinks alcohol; she drinks excessively (to the point of passing out) to escape from her problems, but is punished for it. Ruby's mom is a smoker and alcoholic who lands in rehab after she is found unconscious in a hotel room.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Lock and Key

Parents need to know that teen characters in the book deal with physical and mental abuse by their parents, but it's not sensationalized and the focus is on the psychological after-effects. Teens' coping strategies include drug and alcohol use and running away. The importance of family and friends is strongly emphasized.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the theme of family as presented in this book, including an assignment where Ruby has to interview people about what the word "family" means to them. What definitions in the book do you agree with, or do you have a better definition? They can also discuss how friends can respond when a peer seems to need help but won't accept it.

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Our Members Say

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  • What did you think about Lock and Key?
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See all 14 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

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

    I'm 12, and I really loved the book. Although some parts may be iffy for some kids, and it is definitely not appropriate for immature preteens, and kids younger than that. But I LOVED it!! but, there are: sex related subjects, drugs, and language.

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

  3. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Love this book!!

    Love this book it's on of her best work!It has everything i love in a book! not the rude bits like but!

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    Love the way she Writes her books

    I love Shara Dessens books. She writes them like the main character would be telling them and i find them very down to earth. Lock and Key is a great story and tells how someone might cope with their mother leaving them. I think Ruby relates to Nate and Find them a great match. I absolutely love this book.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

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