• Is it age appropriate?

  About our ratings

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  Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 16; suggested age 14.

• Is it any good?

  3.0

• Common Sense says

  More of the same from Dessen, plus lots of teen drinking.

Why We Rated This for Ages 14–16

The good stuff

• Educational value:

  Not an issue.
• Messages:

  The main character, Auden, and other secondary characters are smart and goal-oriented. Most of the boys are sweet and not sexist. An underlying theme is about girls enjoying fashion, expressing individuality, and having goals; also, girls are presented as athletic as boys. Auden and her stepmother are financially savvy and like business. Most of the teens are headed for college. The only really bad message is that there are no consequences to teen drinking.

• Role models:

  Some positive role models are present in the primary male teen: he has a good parental relationship, takes responsibility, and shows resiliency in dealing with his friend’s death. He and Auden form a positive romantic relationship based on friendship and respect. Auden’s stepmother is also a strong, smart young businesswoman who has pursued her own dreams. However, Auden’s parents are selfish, immature, jealous, and self-indulgent. Auden’s mother drinks and has affairs with grad students and treats Auden with contempt.  Auden’s brother is immature and dependent on his parents; he also treats women as objects. Auden herself makes some bad choices; she runs away from problems, is judgmental, and often selfish.

What to watch out for

• Violence:

  An ex-girlfriend of Auden’s new crush threatens to beat her up.
• Sex:

  Auden hooks up with a guy the first night they meet, makes out, and takes her shirt and bra off. Later there is a very non-graphic recall of losing her virginity with Eli. References to Auden's mother seducing and sleeping with grad students. Auden's father starts dating before his divorce; his girlfriend then becomes pregnant before they marry.
• Language:

  Brief occasional use of swear words, most by female characters: "Jesus," "s--t," "hell," "bitch," "sucked," "pissed."

• Consumerism:

  Snack foods such as Pringles, Twizzlers. Also, there's a big focus on fashion and brands in the local boutique owned by a main character. While the brand names are fictional, the emphasis on the "right" brands making you look or feel better is pervasive.

   

• Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

  All the teens (mostly 18-year-olds) drink almost nightly at keggers, parties, and clubs. Adults, mostly Auden’s mother, drink frequently; one offers Auden wine.

What Parents Need to Know

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