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Mistletoe (by Aimee Friedman, Hailey Abbott, Melissa de la Cruz, Nina Malkin)

common sense media says

Heartwarming holiday fluff for teens.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that characters eat marijuana-laced brownies, drink spiked egg nog, and smooch (the characters in one story have sex, but the details are vague). There's some product name-dropping, but for the most part there isn't a materialistic tone. At their heart, these stories have warm messages about the transformative power of the holidays.

Positive messages: At their heart, these stories have warm messages about the tranformative power of the holidays.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Some kissing; a vague reference to having sex.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: iPod, Starbucks, Jimmy Choo, Manolos
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Characters eat pot-laced brownies and drink coffee and spiked egg nog.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Mistletoe

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about some of the common themes in holiday stories: redemption, selflessness, and even finding true love. Can you think of other holiday movies and books that play upon these themes? We tend to think of this as a powerful time of year -- is this the truth or just a nice myth?

What's the story?

What's the story?
This book is really four short stories with holiday magic at their heart. The characters have different struggles (one realizes she's fallen for her best friend's boyfriend, while another, in a twist on The Gift of the Magi, wishes she could afford a real gift for her guy). In the end, all the characters learn a lesson -- and get kissed.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
There's nothing too earth-shattering here, but MISTLETOE is a sweet collection of holiday stories. Each of the four tales -- written by a pack of teen series writers -- plays upon similar themes but is distinct enough to keep readers engaged. In the end, these stories may not be particularly literary, but there are enough heartwarming moments -- and smooches -- to keep teen readers sighing happily.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Aimee Friedman, Hailey Abbott, Melissa de la Cruz, Nina Malkin
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: October 8, 2006
Number of pages: 240
Paperback price: $8.99
Read Aloud: 13
Read Alone: 13
This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
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