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Story of a Girl

(2007, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Sara Zarr)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 14.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Engrossing story of teen haunted by early sex.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Deanna's friends are caring, even when she deliberately hurts them.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Deanna knocks down a boy for grabbing her crotch. Her brother beats up another boy.
  • Sex:

    The story revolves around a girl who, when she was 13, was having sex with a 17-year-old; and her older teen brother, who got a girl pregnant. Nothing is described, but there are many references, as well as to "boobs," sexual harassment, condoms, "the pill," kissing, petting, homosexuality, and oral sex (very obliquely).
  • Language:

    Some swearing, including "s--t" and "f--k," and the finger.
  • Consumerism:

    Many stores and fast food restaurants mentioned.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teen characters smoke (tobacco and marijuana) and drink.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Story of a Girl

Parents need to know that this is a book about a teen who had sex when she was 13. There are no descriptions of sex, but many sexual references. Teens also smoke, including marijuana.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the role of forgiveness in the story. How does it define the difference between Deanna, her brother, and her father? Why is it important?

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Our Members Say

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See all 6 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 17
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0
    My concerns are:
    • Inappropriate language

    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    This boook was amazing and had such a strong message. Most people don't understand what most young girls go through and are exposed too. EVERYONE talks about sex even elementary kids. I don't know if anyone agrees but it sounded like Stacey was doing something illegal on her little "trip". This book is outstanding and i encourage parents and teens to read the book. It has a very gripping, on edge climax. Hope you enjoy!

  2. I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages

    I am 16 years old right now, but i was 13 when i read the book, and i LOVE it. What you need to know is, this book is NOT just about some girl that had sex when she was 13. Its about more than that. The story takes place when she was 16, and she has to live with all the bad decisions she has made, and tries to figure out how to make her life better, and i think that she succeeded very much. This book is very emotional and is and will always be one of my very favorites.

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 4.0

    Know when to stop

    This book is about a girl that had sex when she was thirteen. This is an inapropiate book for an eleven year old. They can get confused while reading it. I was a situation like deanna, but i knew when to stop. This book is like a model of my life, and what i should've done.

  4. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Good

    This book is all about this girl who had sex when she was 13 and people found out that she did that and called her really bad names! So this book is telling you that you should wait to have sex otherwise you might just get called bad names.(i know i did)

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

    Know Your Child

    this book was really good. but i'm 14. so i wouldn't recommend this book for an 11 year old unless they know what they are talking about or they will be really lost. i thought it was a really good book b/c it was told from a girl who was having sex at 13 and she was called names all throughout high school. it shows teens that waiting to have sex is really a good thing.

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