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Perfect

(2004, 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 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Poignant read perfect for mom-teen girl book club.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Both strong and weak adult role models. Mother figure needs support and is unable to recognize danger signs in teen daughter. An aunt and therapist are able to help the main character and other family members.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Graphic descriptions of throwing up after bingeing. Experience with Ex-Lax.
  • Sex:

    The main characters talk about body image, specifically about the size of their thighs and their ability to fit a bra.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Mention of parents drinking gin-and-tonics.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Perfect

Parents need to know that this book is a powerful read -- the depiction of troubled 13-year-old Isabelle Lee will touch a nerve with adolescent girls. Isabelle's bulimia is caused by her mourning for her father. Besides graphic descriptions of bingeing and purging and some experimentation with laxatives, there are painful scenes of Isabelle's observations of her mother and sister, each also desperately mourning in silence.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the effects of bulimia and laxatives on the body. How does it damage your teeth and digestive system? What are other harmful long-term effects? Parents can also talk about Isabelle's distorted image of her body. How do you think mourning for her father contributed to Isabelle's eating disorder? How did the rest of the family mourn? What kind of support does this family need to move forward? What should you do if you or someone you know shows signs of an eating disorder?

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Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Perfect?
  •  I think this book is

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See all 33 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational

    A step to a new life!

    This is a very good book because i did the same thing before i read this book and it made me want to change

  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    a great reed for all teens

    "Perfect" gave a really believable depiction of a girl suffering from bulemia. i found it extremely readable. it made me empathize with isabelle in her recovery.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 4.0

    Loved it(:

    I liked it. It was very informative of what hundreds of kids go through.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Florida
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 3.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    OK, I guess...... : I

    This book was OK. It just informed you on how to be Bulimic and what to drink so you can Puke better, it gets you thinking about doing that, It was kinda a waist of time.

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    i loved it

    I think it is a must read for mature kids 11 and older. Although, it has a few gross scenes, it is very touching. It is about a girl struggling to overcome bulimia.

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