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Bad Apple

(2009, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Laura Ruby)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    School scandal story for teens is solid at its core.

Themes in this book include:   family relationships, growing up, honesty, loss

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    There is a good cautionary message to teens about how hurtful rumors can be (and that you shouldn't believe everything you read).

  • Role models:

    Tola is not exactly a happy, well-adjusted teenager, but readers can learn something about her willingness to keep going amid all the rumors -- and her willingness to pursue her art even amid criticism.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Tola gets into a phyiscal confrontation with her nemesis, but it doesn't get too much past threats. Her grandfather nearly dies.

  • Sex:

    Some kissing. Main character is accused of having an affair with her art teacher.

  • Language:

    Words like "boobs" or "asshole" here and there.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Bad Apple

Parents need to know that the scandal at the center of this book involves an alleged affair between a teen girl and her art teacher. There is some other heavy stuff: Her sister takes pills for depression and her grandfather nearly dies. Other than that, there is a little swearing and some sweet kissing between Tola and her boyfriend. 

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the TruthAboutTolaRiley.com blog. This is a Web site that Tola's nemesis starts so students can blog rumors about her. Ask your teens if this is realistic. Do you ever read rumors about other students online? This might be a good way to remind your teens about the rules of the road for social networking.  
  • Tola is obsessed with fairy tales, and at the end even depicts herself as Rapunzel in a mural. Can you think of any other modern books or movies that are based on fairy tales? Why do we keep returning to these old stories, even in today's modern times? How does Tola's story both embrace fairy tales, and reject them?
  • Even though Tola says nothing happened with her teacher, do you believe her in the beginning? Why or why not? Why does Tola wait until near the end of the book to admit what really went on?
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