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Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

(2007, Fiction - School, Written by Jennifer Holm, Illustrated by Elicia Castaldi)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 7, age appropriate for kids over 9; suggested age 9.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Scrapbooked year of humor, angst, and mischief.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 9 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    There is some naughty behavior including stealing of garden gnomes, toilet papering a house and teenage drinking, however all bad deeds are punished.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A girl slaps another and is given detention. A father is killed by a drunk driver that is a repeat offender. A young teen crashes a car twice, once while drunk.

  • Sex:

    A girl shares her first and second kiss with her date. Adults get married.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A teen gets drunk and crashes a car. A man is killed by a drunk driver.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Middle School Is Worse Than Meatloaf

Parents need to know that this book has all the typical middle school angst with some bad behavior, including teen drinking and unlicensed driving. The behavior is clearly dealt with and characters are shown having remorse for their actions. A girl starts a romance with a boy and shares a first kiss.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how middle school can be a tough time emotionally and physically. Can you identify with Ginny? Have you ever had a series of disappointments? How do you handle stressful times? What other books and movies about middle school do you relate to? Which books and movies have it all wrong?
Tools and tips that can help

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Parent Reviewer
    mydaughtersamile ...
    Lives in California
    I rate this title iffy for age 10 and give it 4.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    since when do middle schoolers drink? or drive?

    that problems mostly in high school this book is good but a little innapropiate

    This review...

    Helped me decide (1) | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    Ezzipunkin
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    This is a must read book!!

    I can really relate to this book.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    shay321
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title iffy for age 2 and give it 3.0

    This review...

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

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