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Crazy in Love (by Dandi Daley Mackall)

common sense media says

Schizophrenic plot mars book about first love.

parents & educators say
See all 5 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the book's premise deals with sex, from sexual rumors that the school's queen bee spreads about Mary Jane to Mary Jane's struggle to decide if she should have sex with her boyfriend. Mary Jane's best friend does have sex with her boyfriend in college, and Mary Jane buys lingerie in preparation for the big night with her first love.

Positive messages: Good message about listening to yourself and making a decision that is right for you.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: One of the major plot points is about Mary Jane's struggle to decide if she should have sex. Rumors are spread about Mary Jane, and she discusses sex with her friends.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Some brands mentioned, like MTV, Victoria's Secret, Diet Coke, plus Mary Jane works at a mall pretzel shop.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Crazy in Love

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about their young teens' expectations about love and sex. What do you think about abstinence pledges? Also, why is it that girls often become victims of sexual rumors? Why do girls call one another sluts? Have you heard any of these rumors at your school?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Mary Jane is crushing on a boy with a queen-bee girlfriend, which leads to some girl drama -- and to some vicious rumors pegging the good girl Mary Jane as a "slut."

Even after she wins the boy of her dreams, her life is in turmoil as she tries to decide if she should stay true to her abstinence pledge.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 

This book has a cute premise: Mary Jane has two voices in her head: a good girl and a, well, not-so-good girl. These voices advise her about her relationship with Jackson, the boy she's fallen for, who is also dating Star, the popular, mean girl at school. The problem is, like the voices, the book is split in two with Mary Jane dealing with rumors Star is spreading about her and trying to decide whether to have sex with Jackson.

There is a good message here about learning to listen to yourself. And there's definitely a bunch of topics that parents will be able to discuss with younger teens. But in the end, readers won't be too interested in Mary Jane's voices, or her love story.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Dandi Daley Mackall
Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
Publication date: January 18, 2007
Number of pages: 240
Hardcover price: $16.99
Read Aloud: 12
Read Alone: 12
This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

goodie2gumdropz
adult
 
absolutley amazingg!!!!!!!
i love this book soooooooo much! i finished reading it in a day it was that good! as soon as i ended one chapter, i had to start another one! all teenage girls should read this! it is soooooooooooooo awesome! :]]
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helped me decide (4) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
crazyinlove13
teen, 15 years old
 
A must read for anyone going into middle/high school!
This book deals with what really goes on in schools all around the world... Not only schools but the thoughts Mary Jane Ettermeyer has are thougts other people have too. This book also help advise you on what to do and at the same time what not to do.
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yihua
kid, 13 years old
12
 
Good for mature tweens
It is a great book for teens andmature tweens. It kinda has too much lovey dovey stuff, but if you like romance books, this book will be perfect for you!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
Reviewer-extra ...
adult
 
Wonderful, witty, real, and delightful!
This book looks like it's going to be one of those sappy falling in love books, but it's so much more. The characters are real and deep and funny--I LOL so much, but cried too. And the cool thing is that it makes you feel great about making good decisions.
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)
oceanluv
kid, 13 years old
13
 
pretty good
It's a really good book. I recommend it.
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (1)

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