Confessions of a Triple Shot Betty (by Jody Gehrman)
common sense media says
Sweet core, despite drugs and sex references.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that drinking, casual sex, and drug use are presented as common teen behaviors; in two cases, parents give teens glasses of wine. Girls deal with boys calling them demeaning names and treating them as sex objects. The 16-year-old main character is a straight-A student with a good attitude. The author weaves brand names throughout the story, from soda drinks to cars to types of wine.
Violence:
Threatened fight between boys at a fast-food restaurant.
Sex:
Many sexual references, including a character's nickname (Blowjob Beezie) and boys calling girls "cock tease" and "ho." The girls attend a "pimps and hos" party wearing "whoring clothes" and "hoochie-mama dance grooves." "Every female wants to do" a handsome boy. Geena thinks she is the "only sophomore-nearly-junior on the planet who hasn't been to third base." One boy tells another, "Suck this" and grabs his crotch. A character's sister sleeps with her older married professor. Topless pictures taken with a cell phone are posted on MySpace. Additional references to orgies, beer sluts, and exchanging sexual favors for crack.
Language:
The language is most offensive when boys use derogatory sexual terms to insult girls ("p---y," "c--t," "bitch"). Other language includes "sucks ass," "phone pole up her butt," "s--t," "t-ts," "pissed," "pimps," "hos," and "f--k off."
Consumerism:
Much of the book involves buying coffee drinks. Lots of products are mentioned by name: iPod, MySpace, YouTube, specific cars, types of wines, fast food chains, soda drinks, and clothing designers.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
A party includes rooms for "smoking, thizzing, Jell-O shots, and sixty-nine" lots of drinking (champagne, Crantini, Screwdriver, Cuba Libre, sangria). Characters get drunk and puke. References bong hits, THC, dropping acid, and sniffing Wite-Out. One social group is called the "stofers" for stoner-surfers. Parents drink ("got a little wasted on red wine") and serve wine to teens. One boy has a fake ID. A character smokes a cigarette.
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Most useful reviews by all members
sandi96
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
good for learning purposes
I read this book when i was 12 and i really enjoyed it. It DOES send positive messages if the reader interpretes it well. Its pretty accurate and is a good story for a young teen to read. Parents need to stop being so over protective because kids need to make mistakes and learn from them. And although my parents don't know it, ive already been exposed to sexual activities and know lots of ppl who arent virgins and i even had a crush on a guy who turned out to be a pot dealer(i know how bad drugs are so i left him alone all together).
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lady of the ...
parent of 14 and 17 year old
parent of 14 and 17 year old
Not for me and not for middle schoolers
Not for middle schoolers. Very mature themes -- or actually immature themes -- of partying, casual sex, fighting, etc. This is one we won't buy for our middle school library.
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luvv
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
this book is surprisingly better than it looks, and even sounds. now im going to try to say this with out ruining the book... there arent very good role modles in this AT ALL. thats my only big concern...other wise enjoy. plus this book gives good life lessons, you can learn from the characters mistakes!
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literary
adult
adult
no literary value
This book is full of everything we try so hard to keep our students out of!
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KatherineLovesJake
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
too much mention of sex
ummmm....a bit sexual....but its still a great book!
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