In terms of the content, I did not find there to be anywhere near as much language, sexuality, drinking, etc. as the majority of teen novels. That said, the month-away-from-graduation high school seniors in this novel behave like real world older teens. They do pull elaborate pranks which include illegal trespassing, and urban exploration is discussed. What sets this novel apart is the fact that it delves into very deep questions about identity and relationships. Echos of Into the Wild and Catcher in the Rye can be heard quite clearly - and anyone who has ever had the urge to buck up against the expectations of peers, parents, and/or society will find plenty to think about in this novel. A couple of things that I think make this novel really stand out for parents and educators: 1. While one character has negligent parents, the majority of the adults in this novel and intelligent and truly concerned about the teens - they are advocates, not hostile enemies. 2. John Green does a great job creating strong, complex female characters. 3. This novel features amazingly healthy and supportive teen friendships - especially between three boys.
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Paper Towns
(2008, Fiction - Friendship)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings(Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)
Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14. -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Talky but compelling teen angst mystery.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 14–16
What to watch out for
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
About Paper Towns
Parents need to know that they will find plenty of salty teen language and sexual references here, though nothing graphic. Also, the very appealing main characters sneak out at night and conduct a series of pranks, involving vandalism and misdemeanors, for which there are no consequences other than a fond and amusing memory.
Read our full review by Matt Berman
Families Can Talk About
- Families can talk about how to tell when a friend is in real emotional trouble. What are the signs Margo gives? Are they anything like the signs real people give? Why does it take so long for Q to pick up on them? What should you do if you feel a friend is at risk?
Our Members Say
See all 6 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
- I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My highlights are:
A really great teen novel.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
I loved it
it was a great book i personally loved it. it wasent as bad as they say because there is typically worse going around in schools these days (then again it all depends where go you and how old the kids are in the school). so the language wasent that bad.
- I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
Awesome Book!
"Paper Towns" is a funny, engaging, eye-opening book. It had me laughing, it had me crying, it had me pondering the way I look at other people. John Green is able to convey an interesting, mysterious novel great for teens. In regards to questionable content, this novel makes use of the occasional four-letter word, has some frank sexual discussion, a bit of violence, and heavy under-age drinking. But really it's nothing any 13 year-old hasn't already heard.
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
I really liked this book!
I'm only 12 but i really liked this book. I wouldn't let anyone under at least 12 read this and that's only if they're really mature and know about stuff cause they talk about some 'inappropriate' things but anyway i really liked it i read it in one day!!
- I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
The Best Book You Will Read This Year
I absolutely LOVED this book! I'm only 13, which some may say is too young to be reading this, but seriously, in today's culture? Really? I'm also a nerdfighter, and if you don't know what that is, than I suggest you find out. Anyways, on to my review: What makes this book so freaking brilliant is that it's so real. John Green really captures exactly how people think. There's also a level of intellectual depth that most teen books don't have, which deals with the ever-so confusing topic of how we see other people, compared to how they see themselves. John's characters are some of the most amazingly real, and at the same time hilariously outrageous teenagers I've ever seen. What gives them that balance is crazy encounters (like the Battle of the Cow or the first gas station stop), and also simply everyday feelings (like Q's love of Margo, and at the same time, his friendship with Lacey.) This was one of the best books I've read in my entire life. I highly recommend it for a teen of any age.
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| 100% | of parents say it gives kids positive messages |
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