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Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    5.0

  • Common Sense says

    Hilarious high school angst with frank sex talk.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The characters have good social connections, they share feelings, recognize when they've hurt one another, etc. There is discussion about gay characters being afraid to come out because they fear persecution.

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Entire health class are encouraged to look at their vaginas with a mirror, main character describes hers. Characters talk about making out, sex, masturbation, erections, and Ernest Hemingway not having a penis. Two male characters are gay.

  • Language:

    Mild swearing, a discussion of names given to genitalia. Some discussion of terms referring to homosexuals or those who hang out with them.

  • Consumerism:

    Mild mention of products once or twice.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    High school students who are drug users are described in an unflattering light, including one who sells drugs.

What Parents Need to Know

This review of Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time was written by Terreece Clarke

Parents need to know sex, masturbation, dating, sexually transmitted disease, condom usage, and gay relationships are talked about in this book. It's a coming-of-age story and deals with most topics in a frank and sometimes humorous way.

Families Can Talk About

Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
  • Families can talk about quite a bit here, especially related to sex and sexuality. Where would you go if you had questions about sex and relationships? How does anyone know if they are ready for sex? What are your thoughts on abstinence and safe sex? What does Gertie learn about herself throughout the book?
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More on Gert Garibaldi's Rants and Raves: One Butt Cheek at a Time

Book Summary

Gert has some issues. Her crush Lucas doesn't really know she's into him, her best friend Adam keeps dragging her out on dates with his crush Tim, her eyebrows are bushy, and her parents are old. All she can really do is rant and rave about the despair that is high school -- and she does it well.
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Is It Any Good?

Gert Garibaldi is traumatized by high school. She spends her days trying to navigate the awkwardness, the popular kids, the insane teachers, crushes, and dating. So she rants and raves through it all, in a voice that is very honest, real, and hilarious. Amber Kizer captures the feelings of being a 15-year-old girl with remarkable accuracy and compassion. What starts off as a somewhat conventional teen angst story grows into a tale about a girl becoming comfortable with herself. The pace is terrific and the ending, though great, will leave readers wanting more.

Readers will enjoy and commiserate with Gert's laments over being the third wheel on her best friend's dates and her parents' general cluelessness. They will understand her rants over boys, hypocritical teachers, and the effort of trying to fit into a world in which some kids seem to have gotten a guide book and others are left to fend for themselves. Parents will sympathize and remember what it was like to be 15; the awkwardness that gives way to self-awareness. Teens and parents will find much to discuss, and what better way to bridge the tough topics than through this frank and witty read.

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Publisher’s Details

Publisher: Delacorte Press, Publication date: 10/9/2007
Number of pages: 304, Price: $18.99 (hardcover)
Read Aloud: 14, Read Alone: 14

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