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The Heartbreakers (by Pamela Wells)

common sense media says

Fun Traveling Pants-style story with fewer mature themes.

parents & educators say
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know this is a pretty frothy romance somewhat similar to the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series but with fewer mature topics -- just some teen drinking and a bit of swearing. The girls support each other and exhibit loyalty; most of the guys are positive, well-rounded characters, and the parents are mostly present and supportive of their girls. However, the idea that the girls are more interested in being great friends than having boyfriends isn't how it plays out.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: The idea is there that girls can get over their breakups by being better, closer friends to one another. But the focus still seems to be on crushes and boyfriends.
Positive role models: The girls start off strong, choosing not to let their crushes rule their life and creating rules; many of them find he courage to try new things, whether singing with a band or writing poetry, but their focus stays pretty much on who they want to date, or date again, or not date. The parents are mostly present and supportive of their girls.
Violence: Not applicable.
Sex: Lots of crushes; kissing.
Language: Mild use of "hell," "bitch," "s--t," "ass," "piss," and "damn."
Consumerism: Some references to brands such as iPod, Sentra, Sephora.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Teens attend a kegger; Sydney gets drunk for the first time at a party drinking rum and has a bad hangover.
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More on The Heartbreakers

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about in what other situations such a "code" or list of rules could help function as  a coping mechanism. How well did this code actually work for the main characters?
  • Sydney discovers the power of writing about her feelings in a journal. Why is journaling so popular?
  • Was Raven right to hide her singing from her mother?

What's the story?

What's the story?
A circle of high school friends find themselves without boyfriends all at the same time. Alexia's parents are therapists, and she's the one who suggests writing a breakup code: a list of rules for the heartbroken to follow that will transform them into the heartbreakers instead. Focusing on themselves for a while instead of their boyfriends leads them to discover or rediscover things they love such as singing in a rock band, photography, and spending time with their girlfriends. But even so, the rules turn out to be too much, and in only a few short weeks there is much more dating going on than there was before, despite the pledge to not date anyone for three whole months.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
This is fun, predictable chick lit about four sophomore girls dealing with guys, parents' divorces, keggers, and the true meaning of friendship. Although the alternating narrator structure becomes a little dizzying with four points of view, the characters are equally drawn, with supportive parents and likable guy characters. Coming up with a code of rules to follow could be a useful tool for many situations. It's just too bad the focus goes right back to boys and dating in the end.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Pamela Wells
Publisher: Point
Publication date: November 1, 2008
Number of pages: 256
Paperback price: $8.99
Read Aloud: 14
Read Alone: 13
This review was written by Debra Bogart
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

samandie
teen, 15 years old
14
 
book love
i love it tis a good book i love it
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helped me decide (7) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (6)
uma-saa
teen, 13 years old
12
 
i love this book,and i want more ,,>.<
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (2)
Kellyxo1
teen, 15 years old
13
 
The best book of all times!
I think this book is really educational in a lot of ways. It teaches teenagers how to be friends and how's it like to go through a break up, but not just that it focuses on one thing and that is "break up" It's a really good book in my opinion. Worth it!!!
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was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (2)

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