I really love these books, because I can relate to the same life styles they have. I dont live in New York but I love the rich and famous life styles. These series are really hooking. When you read them you sometimes cant get out of reading them because they are so good. Yes, there are drugs and alcohol in the books, but when kids are in high school you do encounter those problems. All kids have friends that are also into drugs and violence and stuff like that. This will teach your kids to also not go for jerk friends or boyfriend and girlfriends. This is only for 15 and up. I would totally recommend these books.
Gossip Girl Books
(2005, Fiction - Coming of age, Written by Cecily von Ziegesar)
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Addictive high-society fluff with iffy messages.
Themes in this book include: dating/crushes, materialism, substance abuse
updated 01.21.10
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 15–18
What to watch out for
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Role models:
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Violence:
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Sex:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Gossip Girl Books was written by Kate Pavao
Parents need to know that characters in these books drink, smoke, do drugs, throw parties, and have sex. Their party lifestyle is glamorized (and their own parents are permissive about their drinking); sex is not graphic, but it isn't always equated with love, either. Also, brand names run throughout, from high-end clothing designers to skin products to alcohol brands.
Families Can Talk About
Talk to your kids about the media in their life. We have more tools and tips that can help
- Families can talk about the popularity of the series and why teens seem to find it so appealing.
- What do books like these do for their readers?
- Are they simply guilty pleasures, or do they have lessons to teach?
- How are you supposed to feel about the rich characters -- envy them, hate them, feel sorry for them?
- What do you think of all the materialism? Does it make you want labels, or make you think they're shallow?
Have you read it? Review It!
More on Gossip Girl Books
Book Summary
Manhattan's young, rich, and beautiful throw parties, fall in love, and stress about getting into Ivy League colleges -- all while wearing designer clothes. Their comings and goings are recorded by a secret spy within their fold on GossipGirl.net.
The seven books currently in this series (number eight is due for release in Oct.) follow bitchy Blair, earthy Serena, stoner Nate, edgy Dan and Vanessa, cute Jenny (and others in their circle). Beyond fancy vacations and charity events, they get glam in other ways: Serena models for a hot designer and Dan publishes a poem in The New Yorker. And then there are the inevitable romances: Nate and Blair. Dan and Serena. Nate and Jenny. Dan and Vanessa. You get the picture.
Books reviewed in this series include
Gossip Girl
All I Want Is Everything
Because I'm Worth It
Is It Any Good?
This is really superficial stuff, but it's no wonder it's such a hit. These rich kids' designer lives are the stuff we've all fantasized about. It's just as easy to relish the high moments (Serena hooks up with a rock star; Dan and Vanessa finally get it on) as it is the disasters (Blair dates her Yale interviewer, only to find out he's the married father of one of her classmates; Nate gets busted trying to buy pot in Central Park). While none of the characters are particularly noble, it's fun watching them throw fabulous benefits (complete with Kate Spade gift bags!) or jet off to a tropical island for the holidays.
The author expertly weaves their various storylines together for maximum energy. But do your kids -- the ones you trust not to take this world too seriously -- really have to read the whole series? (Probably just one or two will do.) The GossipGirl.net interludes are the perfect device, because they remind readers of our place in the whole mess: We are not these characters. We are not their friends. We are simply gawkers.
Publisher’s Details
Publisher: Little, Brown and Company, Publication date: 8/9/2005
Number of pages: 199, Price: $9.99 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 15, Read Alone: 15
Number of pages: 199, Price: $9.99 (paperback)
Read Aloud: 15, Read Alone: 15
Our Members Say
See 94 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My highlights are:
- Educational
- Good role models
Sex and The City For Teens
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I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Gossip Girl's for Girls
-you can learn from the characters mistakes -the series is inappropriate but -very intriguing -loads of drama -recommended for girls...i mean teen females -i personally like the series alot, -i havent seen the tv series tho -i think i only like the series because there is tons of drama, lol! nj!
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
It's good, but not great.
I think the books are good if you have watched the TV series, but you may find it easy to get lost if you haven't. I think that the age rating of 15+ on the back of the books is the right age. I also think that the readers SHOULD NOT but under 14, as they may not realise how stupid some of the things the characters get up to are. I don't think parents should stop their children from reading this because if they think their children are responible and sensible enough, they won't be worried.
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
It's good, but not great.
I think the books are good if you have watched the TV series, but you may find it easy to get lost if you haven't. I think that the age rating of 15+ on the back of the books is the right age. I also think that the readers SHOULD NOT but under 14, as they may not realise how stupid some of the things the characters get up to are. I don't think parents should stop their children from reading this because if they think their children are responible and sensible enough, they won't be worried.
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
love it
love it
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
...
Since I watch the show, I did decide to check out the books and compare them. On the back of the books, there is a warning that the book is for age 15 +. This I do agree with and think the age rating should maybe be even higher. I read the first 2 books and was able to understand everything that was going on. This included inappropriate language, sexual behavior, inappropriate behavior in general, negative messages, bad role models + drinking and drug use. I think the books present girls who are growing up with bad messages if they are negatively influenced easily. I know, that I am only 13 and read the books but I would never follow how the characters behave or act in the books or in fact the show. I would have to say, even though the show isn't too appropriate, the books are way more inappropriate!
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I rate this title iffy for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
...
Since I watch the show, I did decide to check out the books and compare them. On the back of the books, there is a warning that the book is for age 15 +. This I do agree with and think the age rating should maybe be even higher. I read the first 2 books and was able to understand everything that was going on. This included inappropriate language, sexual behavior, inappropriate behavior in general, negative messages, bad role models + drinking and drug use. I think the books present girls who are growing up with bad messages if they are negatively influenced easily. I know, that I am only 13 and read the books but I would never follow how the characters behave or act in the books or in fact the show. I would have to say, even though the show isn't too appropriate, the books are way more inappropriate!
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I loved the book, i think Serena is a great role model she always is nice to everyone. It has a lot of ;product placement; and makes people wish they could be rich and glamourous like Serena and Blair. Though that is the point of a book to read it and be entertained, not possitive messages.
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
TRUE TO LIFE... but not for the sheltered kid!
personally i love these books... i love the fashion and the different dramatic stories going on! ... if you don't want your kids to read "real life" type books, then clearly these books aren't for them, but they'll relate to a lot of the situations whether they admit it or you want to believe it!
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I rate this title on for age 13 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Great series(:
It's a great series, but not for younger readers. Parents are worried about what their children will learn from this series, but while I was reading the books i realized their lives were ridiculous and that what i am learning is that I will NEVER do those things because the things in the series don't happen to most teenagers. Plus you see the way they act and how they treat each other and most girls would't want people treating them that way so they won't act that way.
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
well written, although characters aren't good role models, it is easy to understand their circumstances and get wrapped up in their lives. I for one enjoyed the series, they are a lot better than the show, and i wouldn't mind going back and reading it again. it's definitely for an older audience though
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I rate this title on for age 15 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
even tho these books have a lot of negative stuff, i love them, i started reading them in the 7th grade and im ready for the new one, "i will always love you" to come out in november. if u have a problem with these books then just dont read them or let ur kids read them. but go ahead and let ur kids read fairy tales with magic and blood and a bunch of stuff thats not okay even tho eveyone says it is :)
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
I read the books just after I turned 13 and I was able to understand the content that was in the books. I know some of the things that happen in the books are not at all appropriate but I know that I would never do any of the stuff that they do and just because they do that stuff in the books it doesn't mean I am going to. The books were different to anything I have ever read and I overall enjoyed that fact. Plus, I LOVE the show!
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I rate this title iffy for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
I read the books when I was 13 and I understood most of the content in the books
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I rate this title on for age 12 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
Amazzzing!
These books are great. i don't see why everyone freaks out about them. people don't care their kids are reading about vampires, who do it while sucking blood, but kids who have issues that are in a way simillar to every teenage life. great great books.
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I rate this title off for age 16 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
Very sad this toxic stuff is so popular
I am not easily shocked, but that's my reaction to how cynical and demeaning Hachette and this author are. They are making a lot of money selling a concentrated form of the stuff that ultimately keeps teenage girls and young women weak: intense emphasis on looks, materialism and brands; a view of female relationships as competitive sport; and a view of cheap sex, alcohol, and smoking as just part of a normal girl's life. And they can't pretend the appeal and the sale doesn't work it's way down to the "'tweens". I am not a conservative, either politically or religiously. But this is the underside of American culture, celebrated and treated as normal. I hope we'll eventually grow up to the point where we see this stuff the way we now understand smoking: bad for everyone, and not to be made sexy and marketed to young people. Parents you should read this book before you let your daughter read it, and see where you stand. If you are trying to raise a daughter (or son) who has values that will lead to real happiness over time, and the courage to stick to these values -- you may agree with me that Hachette and "Cecily Von Ziegesar" are enemies to your cause.
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Kids ages: 17
I rate this title on for age 11 and give it- My highlights are:
- Good role models
I LOVE GG LOL
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I rate this title on for age 14 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
not for everybody and not awful...
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I rate this title off for age 17 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
- Excessive consumerism
- Drinking, smoking, or drug use
- Negative role models
TERRIBLE books.
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