 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Black Rabbit Summer
- By Kevin Brooks
- Genre: Mystery
Common Sense Media says
British murder mystery is full of adult content.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book involves a murder of a teen by a teen, suicide, hallucinogenic drug use, and drunken teen sex. After all that, other iffy behavior seems rather tame: teens lie to their parents and police, smoke cigarettes and pot, and drink hard alcohol recreationally. Another disturbing element is the main character's apathy toward his own life and others'. When Pete learns his friend killed a girl, he notes, "I just didn't care. I know that probably sounds pretty callous, but the simple truth is -- I didn't like [her]."
What's the story?
Pete, Nicole, Eric, Pauly, and Raymond used to hang out together as kids. Now that they've graduated from high school and are headed separate ways, Nicole proposes a final party, followed by a night at the fair. Pete tries to watch out for his best friend, Raymond, who everyone else calls "Mental Ray" because Raymond believes his rabbit speaks to him. Somehow, Pete loses track of Raymond, who never turns up after the fair. Neither does a homegrown celebrity, Stella Ross. Now Raymond and all the gang are suspects in what turns out to be a murder case. A local hood, Wes, threatens Pete when he tries to do his own investigation. Pete knows he's getting closer to the truth -- if he doesn't get killed first.
Is it any good?
It's hard for readers to invest in this murder mystery since Pete, the depressed first-person narrator, doesn't. Pete is "happy enough doing nothing" and plans to study law in college because he can't think of other options. Even after his friends kill a girl and beat him up, he's pretty blasé about it.
Brooks' prose is surprisingly trite and badly in need of editing. Many passages in this nearly 500-page book are annoyingly repetitive -- to say nothing of the excessive use of one-sentence paragraphs (It was hot. [Break] I was sweating. [Break] My throat hurt.) Character motivation is vague at best. The whole talking rabbit thing seems tossed in for a little atmosphere. The plot hinges on a fake kidnapping attempt, but the only explanations as to why the celebrity bothers with all this trouble are also pretty vague. Raymond's situation is unresolved at the ending, which suggests either a sequel or laziness. "He's just gone." But nobody really cares.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the dangers of psychedelic drugs and how they can make people paranoid and violent. At one point, Pete turns down sex with a girl because she is too drunk. Pete later wonders if he's "an idiot" -- what do teens think? Does this book feel edgy and interesting with all the sex and drug content, or does it take away from the mystery? What mysteries have you read that give you the chills without laying on the adult content?
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AGE
this book is amazing ! a fantastic read and entisingly gripping. you really cannot put it down for a second. some parts are a little too graphic for younger readers and this may upset them. overall a fantastic read.
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AGE
perfect for ALL young adults.
DUDE this book is amazing!! I am 14, and lets be honest. The book is for young adults. Teens. Every teen is used to the language! it is actually a good thing. It makes u want to read more! trust me, if you are a teenager, you will love this book. It makes you want to read more! parents might not understand, but cool parents will want their kids to read books that entertain them. This was my favorite book i have read in a long time, because it is fun and relatable. 5/5
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AGE
Great mystery
One of those books that when you finish you want to find a book just like it.
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AGE
Lover this book!
I'm 14 and I loved this book. Although it has a lot of drug use, vilonce and sexual nature, it was still a really good book and was really realistic!
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AGE
If your child is old enough to understand, and you trust him/her, Go for any book!
Well, Parents, if you're worried like my mom is. Don't sweat it. If you think you're child is mature enough, let him/her read whatever he/she wants. Trust me. There was plenty of cursing in this book, yes and other stuff, but my parents know/trust I don't do those things. I honestly think that with language like that, it only brightens up a sentence, though cussing is bad for kids. If you hold back on your children, they'll only learn the hard way.
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AGE
not a kid reviewer!
still rading it really interesting
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AGE
I liked this book
I'm 15 years old, and I really liked this book.
I mean, it has some swear words ( well a lot ) , and drugs and things like that ... But that's what made it seem like it was real. It was a good story and it made me want to keep continue reading .
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AGE
Good if language doesn't bother you.
All the comments below this are ridiculous. Cursing does not make people want to read more; good writing does. Curse words don't brighten a sentence; fresh verbs and adjectives do. The book is very good if you don't mind cursing, but to pass off the vulgar language as a selling point is absolutely absurd.
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| Author: | Kevin Brooks |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Mystery |
| Publisher: | Chicken House |
| Publication date: | July 1, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 488 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
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