Tools for this page
Print

Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl

(2008, Fiction - Activity, Written by Meg Cabot)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 6, age appropriate for kids over 7; suggested age 8.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    More spunk and "rules" from Cabot's popular series.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 8 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Allie has some pretty good rules that she goes by, including first impressions matter and it's important to stand up for yourself even when you're scared. A couple of the rules border on personal preference like, "when someone is yelling at you with excitement, it's polite to yell back."
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    A bully threatens to beat up a girl, adults and kids discuss self-defense and how to punch someone in the nose. A bully roughhouses with kids and traps a few in folding chairs. A girl talks about brains exploding out of her head and splattering on the wall -- more as a reaction to startling news as opposed to violence.

  • Sex:

    One girl has a crush on a boy, but it goes no further than fantasy and giggles.

  • Language:

    Mild name calling like "mean" and changing someone's name to mean stinky.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults are shown drinking alcohol in response to a stressful situation and children order Shirley Temples.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl

Parents need to know that Allie deals with a bully and other social and family situations in the book, including a bossy grandmother and worry over sick kittens. She does seem to have an obsession with the visual of brains splattering -- she uses this analogy in the first book in the series as well.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Familes can talk about how to work through disagreements with family and friends. How did Allie's mom deal with her meddling mother-in-law? Who provided the best advice for Allie's situation with Rosemary? How do you think you would have handled it?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Have you read it? Review It!

  • What did you think about Allie Finkle's Rules for Girls: The New Girl?

  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 7 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    dsggggggr
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Educational
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I LOVED IT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    i love it. it is my favorite book . keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Kate kids
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 5.0
    • My highlights are:
    • Positive messages
    • Good role models

    I think it is good for all ages 7 up

    I love this. You start reading it and get hooked on so the next thing you know you are running to the store buying the next on. I loved that book you get hooked on it very easily

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  3. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    selena gomez
    Lives in Maryland
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    ILAUGHED

    i think this is a very good book

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  4. Kid Reviewer Age 9
    alliefinklerockk ...
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    so funny

    it is so funny u have to if your a girl of cuarse lol

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  5. Parent Reviewer
    cody140243
    Lives in Illinois
    I rate this title on for age 8 and give it 1.0

    bhy6nj6uy5

    hnjt mkiu,loioi

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • New in Theaters

    Age 7+
    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Fantastic Mr. Fox

    Offbeat family adventure may charm adults more than kids.

  • Tech Tip

    How to help them think more ... and want less.Making the Sale

    How to help them think more ... and want less.

  • Must See TV

    Age 7+
    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Fanboy and Chum Chum

    Zany adventures are low on depth but high on imagination.

  • Issue Spotlight

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    The 10 Most Violent Video Games (And 10 Alternatives)

    Our video game experts weigh in.

  • Game of the Week

    Age 8+
    LEGO Rock Band

    LEGO Rock Band

    Simplified, no-fail Rock Band with a whimsical story.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.