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The Debs

(2008, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by Susan McBride)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 14, age appropriate for kids over 17; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Southern Gossip Girl has slightly more depth.

Why We Rated This iffy for Ages 14–17

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Teen girl drama and meanness prevail throughout, along with some neglectful or clueless parenting. A teen is stripped naked and photographed without her knowledge. One elderly woman remarks on a "colored girl" almost being let into an exclusive club.

  • Violence:

    A small shoving match between two girls.

  • Sex:

    Kissing, making out, and sex between teens in high school, not graphically described. Teen girls are described dressing sexy, wearing and stripping down to lingerie. Plus the typical high school banter of sexual jokes and innuendo.

  • Language:

    "Ass" and "bitch."

  • Consumerism:

    Labels are the extra debutante in this book: Dolce & Gabbana, Mercedes, Manolo, Vera Wang, Blackberry, Coach, etc.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Teens drink, smoke pot, and abuse prescription pills to party and to escape stressful situations.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Debs

Parents need to know that, like the Gossip Girl books, both mean-girl antics and high-end labels are quite prevalent. In one scene, a girl is stripped naked and photographed without her knowledge. Teens engage in sex (not described in detail) and drink, smoke pot, and abuse prescription pills to party and escape stressful situations.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about wealth. This book takes place in a very wealthy community -- how does wealth affect each of the girls' behavior? Is there a difference between wealth and privilege? Families can also talk about the draw of Gossip Girl-type books. Is it just harmless escapism, or do you think it normalizes bad-girl behavior and materialistic lifestyles?
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