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Twisted

(2007, Fiction - School, Written by Laurie Anderson)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Teen deals with abuse, bullies in poignant read.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This off for Ages 13 and Under

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    The main character is caught spray-painting the school and arrested. His father is verbally abusive, his mother an alcoholic, and most of his schoolmates are bullies or jerks. But Tyler often does the right thing when it would be easier or more fun to do otherwise.
  • Violence :

    Some fighting: Tyler is jumped by three other guys and beaten, and he considers suicide, going so far as to put a gun in his mouth. His friend is tied down, stripped, and tormented.
  • Sex :

    References to erections, sexual fantasies, kissing, petting, intercourse. Little described, aside from kissing.
  • Language:

    Infrequent swearing: "s--t," "f--k," etc.
  • Consumerism:

    Snack food, cereal, electronics, and otc medication brands mentioned.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teen and adult drinking and drunkenness, mentions of drugs, Tyler uses Nyquil and Ibuprofin to get to sleep.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Twisted

Parents need to know that this young adult novel has references to drinking, drugs, and sex, as well as some swearing and violence. Nothing is graphic, but it's there. The main character puts a gun in his mouth. His friend is tied down, stripped, and tormented.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about Tyler's dilemma. How can he get control of his life again? Could he have avoided all this in the first place? What do you do when it seems like there are no good options? Is your high school anything like this?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Lives in Washington
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    Your Maturity Level Matters

    I think that this is such a great book, and it deals with issues in the typical teenage life, well. one thing i've noticed with this book, is that there is a notable frustration, that builds throughout the book, and then at the end it blows. and theres always a climax located towards the end of the book, and then things just feel right. This book was very good, but i think it depends on how mature you are, and what you've been exposed to. The book was a little shaky, and a little scary for me, but i was fine, because I'm a pretty advanced reader. If you're teen is pretty independent, and not too sheltered, i highly recommend it.

  2. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in New Jersey
    I rate this title iffy for age 13 and give it 5.0

    An amazing book

    I've read plenty of Laurie Halse Anderson's books. Speak, Fever, Prom, Twisted, etc. And this is by far the best. This is the first time she did a book in a male's perspective. I think it is just a gem. Although there is some iffy things, most 13 year olds could handle it. My class read it in 7th grade, so even the teacher obviously thought it was appropriate. I think that this website judged this book too much by having it at quite an older age then necessary. Honestly, I read it at age 12, understood it, and enjoyed it. Case closed.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in Oregon
    I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it 5.0

    Thirteen??

    The page before the title page: NOTE: THIS IS NOT A BOOK FOR CHILDREN. And she means that. One of the greatest aspects of Anderson's writing style is her unflinching plot lines and her massively flawed characters. The first scene describes Tyler getting an erection from (female) tennis players grinding up and down "and moaning. Did i mention they were moaning yet?" to quote from the book. The thirteen utterly perplexes me. The climax of the book (moderate spoilers) is about a girl getting so far drunk out of her mind that she passes out, a guy takes naked pictures of her and puts them on the web; ultimately Tyler is blamed and threatened with verbal police brutality and his father nearly forces him to go to military school. I don't know how that's not graphic, I mean, various references to pornography, uncontrollable hate for everyone and himself, strong language...but when most readers are thirteen they (by they I meant I) were reading Artemis Fowl. This book deals with conflicting moralities and inherent bad behaviors and qualities that neither the parents or children wish they had. While it is red, the number thirteen shouldn't even be on there. I would give it a yellow for extremely mature 15 year olds.

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Anonymous
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

    Great story, funny, you should read it.

    It's not graphic, it's not violent, it's just very realistic. It tells a realistic story that most people can relate to in some way, and that will captivate readers.

  5. Adult Reviewer
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 4.0

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