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Three Little Words: A Memoir

(2008, Non-Fiction - Autobiography, Written by Ashley Rhodes-Courter)
  • 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?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Harrowing foster child memoir for mature readers.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 15–18

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Ashley tries to drug her adoptive parents so she can sneak out at night. The book details some of the worst behavior of which humans are capable, yet it is a story of hope: Ashley perseveres, works hard, and does well in school with no encouragement, and courageously brings legal action against those who abused her and the system that allowed it, and eventually becomes a successful author.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Spousal and child abuse, including kicking and hitting with objects, stress positions, forced consumption of hot sauce, holding underwater, being forced to bathe in water with feces, starving, supergluing hands to walls. A grandfather is shot in front of his grandchild. Fighting among children, one throws acetone in another's face.
  • Sex:

    Children simulate sex with toys; a child watches graphic bondage porn on video, finds a condom, and dresses as a hooker for Halloween; mentions of sex abuse, rape, molestation of infants, pedophilia, castration, "making out."
  • Language:

    Plenty of swearing by both children and adults, including giving the finger and aggressive cursing: "F--- you," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Many products mentioned: toys, foods, fast food restaurants.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A parent makes, takes, and sells drugs. Drinking, drunkenness, drunk driving with a child in the car, smoking cigarettes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Three Little Words: A Memoir

Parents need to know that this is a true story filled with real-life horrors. While nothing is described graphically, it includes a variety of forms of child abuse and mistreatment; lots of sexual references, none of them healthy; swearing; drugs; alcohol; and acting out of psychological damage.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how Ashley came out of this gruesome childhood intact and excelling. What enabled her to succeed when so many others are lost? Why doesn't the system do a better job of protecting them? Do you think Ashley's legal actions will do any good? Why has Ashley gotten all the media attention?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 14
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    I read this book and i couldn't put it down. It is very touching and tells some shocking things. it makes you think about how horrible some people can be and how children suffer. it makes you want to do something about children in foster-homes that move from home to home.

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

    AMAZINGG!

    This was soooooooooo good! I read it in one day because I was so interested ! Ommg! It was amazing ! It didnt have that much swearing but it was for someone who was mature ! I loveeeeed it! :)

  3. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Good role models

    AMAZINGG!

    This was soooooooooo good! I read it in one day because I was so interested ! Ommg! It was amazing ! It didnt have that much swearing but it was for someone who was mature ! I loveeeeed it! :)

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Ohio
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 1.0

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