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Lush

(2006, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Natasha Friend)
  • 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?

    3.0
  • Common Sense says

    Heartfelt look at drinking's impact on families.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 13–15

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Sam's family does ultimately deal with her father's drinking. Sam, too, learns how to stand up for herself -- and that she's not responsible for everything.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Sam's father hits her young brother with a bottle when he is in an alcohol-fueled rage. When Sam is drunk at a party she is molested by a group of boys in her grade.
  • Sex:

    Sam shares some serious kisses with a high school boy; he pressures her to have sex one night while she's drunk at a party -- until he realizes she's only 13. Also, the boys in Sam's grade rank the girls on their physical attributes.
  • Language:

    Words like "crap" and "slut."
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    The story is about an alcoholic. Sam gets drunk at a party.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Lush

Parents need to know that this book is about a girl struggling to cope with an alcoholic father. In an alcohol-fueled rage, her father hits her young brother with a bottle. Also, Sam shares some serious kisses with a high school boy; he pressures her to have sex one night while she's drunk at a party -- until he realizes she's only 13. That same night, she is molested by a group of boys in her grade; when she returns to school, she's called names and her locker is vandalized.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about "problem novels" like this one that deal with a tough subject. How are books like this helpful for teens? Why would the author choose to include a list of resources in the back of her book? Parents could also use this book to talk to their teens about the dangers of drinking (click here for tips).

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Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Lush?
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See all 38 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Great Book!

    i absolutely loved this book! I got it on a Thursday Night after going to the book stor i read through the whole thing in one night! i stayed up late but it was so completely worth it! i would give this as many starts as posible! the very next day i went and got perfect and read through that in a day also! highly recomend it!

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

    perfect for young teens who are miss understood

    i think it is a very good bok. one of the best books ive ever read. it takes me a long time to get into a book but this one i couldnt put down. It is great story for trubbled teens like me. it has family issues, boy issues and friend issues. It really changed tho way i look at some things in my own life. People think im to young to understand stuff like this but im not i know things. Ths book showed me to take action and do something about my life. So if you read it you will love it :)

  3. Parent Reviewer
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate sexual content

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    perfect for older teens

    well, i loved this book... it was actually life changing for me. i cry judt thinking about the passion in it, I LOVE YOUU LUSH! anyone who isnt 17, this just isnt appropriate for you.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    Perfect for Tweens and Teens

    I liked it, My Mom and I both read it.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    GOOD!

    i will never forget this book! it was very good! i recommend it for sure! also, her other book perfect. both great novels!

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