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Chameleon

(2008, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Charles Smith Jr.)

  • 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

    Refreshing urban read about the kids who stay out of gangs.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    At the heart of the book is a character who is a kind and thoughtful young man. There is gang violence and some teen mischief but overall the kids in the book are good kids.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Because there is gang activity all around the teens in this novel, there are several threats of violence and one actual fight between several teens and gang members. One teen is bitten by a dog; there's blood, but he's OK.

  • Sex:

    Lots of talk about how nice-looking girls are with reference to their attractive body parts. One girl wears very short shorts and the boys remark on how they can almost see the bottom of her butt. Plus teenage crushes that mainly involve shy compliments and invitations to birthday parties.

  • Language:

    There is name calling and use of gang names, but surprisingly not much in the way of obscenities.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    A woman is talked about being an alcoholic. In one scene she's intoxicated and there are references to bottles and glasses with alcohol in them. Other people drink alcohol and smoke both cigarettes and marijuana.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Chameleon

Parents need to know that the story takes place in a tough urban neighborhood where there is always a threat of gang violence. At one point the boys are involved in a big fight with several gang members -- no one is seriously hurt. There are also several incidents of teen-boy banter about girls, mainly revolving around looks and body parts.

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about friendship. Shawn's friends played an important part in his decision on where to attend high school. How did Shawn's friends show that they were true friends? What did Shawn do to help his friends out? Why is it important to stand up for your friends?
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