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Rumble Fish

(1975, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by S. Hinton)
  • 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

    Realistic portrait of a kid with no future.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The main character fights and steals, smokes and drinks, with no guidance from parents or his school. He is, however, opposed to drugs.
  • Violence:

    Descriptions of a knife fight and mugging, with resulting injuries. A boy is shot and killed by the police.
  • Sex:

    Two brief descriptions of heavy necking, with kissing only.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

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

    Drinking and smoking.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Rumble Fish

Parents need to know that many teenagers and reluctant readers recognize and appreciate this realistically written story of a kid with no hope, living in a world of violence where only the tough survive.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about self-image. Is Rusty-James as "dumb" as he thinks he is?

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See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 3.0
    My concerns are:
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use

    Easy read, advanced message

    Good book as long as it is followed up with some good discussion. The positive messages are hidden in resolution of the plot. It becomes more of an example of what not to do.

  2. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 17 and give it 5.0

    READ THE BOOK

    the book was very good and it inspired me 2 not drink, or be in any type of gangs....U WILL LOVE IT...

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 16
    Lives in Pennsylvania
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 3.0

    Couldn't even finish...

    Okay, I've read The Outsiders and That Was Then, This is Now, and I loved both, so I'm definitely not against S.E.Hinton. However, I tried reading both this book and Tex, and I had to stop because of the amounts of swearing. Within the first twenty pages of this book, there had been six or seven swear words. Tex wasn't as bad, but still high. I can't tell you anything else, other than I really wanted to read them but felt dirty after the first few pages. Proceed at your own risk! I highly recommend Outsiders and That Was Then, This is now (See my reviews for info)

  5. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 4.0

    a good freshman reader

    Rusty-James’s only direction in life is to be exactly like his brother, Motorcycle Boy. Even though all his brother does is drift thoughtlessly through life. Rusty-James is stuck seemingly for the rest of his life in a crummy neighborhood because he refuses to rely on anything but his physical strength.

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