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How They Met: And Other Stories

(2008, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by David Levithan)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 15, age appropriate for kids over 99; suggested age 15.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Love story collection is sweet but sophomoric.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    There are stories about gay and lesbian couples as well as straight couples in this collection.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    A few graphic depictions, mostly in one story in which a gay teen talks about having a mostly physical relationship.

  • Language:

    Some words, including the biggie "f--k."

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About How They Met: And Other Stories

Parents need to know that there are stories about gay and lesbian couples, as well as straight couples, in this romantic collection. There is some swearing, and some graphic sexual images, especially in one story about two teen boys who "were boyfriends, but ... screwed all over the place."

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about short story collections. Ask your kids if they would rather read short stories or a longer novel. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each form? Also, parents could point out that, according to Levithan's author's note, he wrote some of these stories while he was still in high school. This might inspire your teens to try to pen a story of their own -- whether it's about love or not.
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