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Hotlanta (by Denee Millner Mitzi Miller)

common sense media says

Rich twins find family secret. Formulaic but fun.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book features lots of designer name dropping, some swearing, and a young couple who decides to have sex for the first time (though they don't end up actually doing it). The twins also spend time with men who have gotten out of jail (their father and Lauren's boyfriend's brother), attend the funeral of someone who is shot, and discover that their stepfather runs a gang.

Positive messages: Both twins are pretty self-centered and shallow.
Violence: Lauren's boyfriend's brother is killed right on his front lawn. The girls discover that their father works for the mob.
Sex: Lauren tells her boyfriend she's a virgin, and wants him to be his first. He is interrupted on his way to get a condom.
Language: A range, from "hell" and "damn" to "s--t," and even the f-word.
Consumerism: Teen Vogue, Marc Jacobs, Roberto Cavalli, Stella McCartney, Louis Vuitton, MAC, Diet Coke, Sidekick, etc.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.
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More on Hotlanta

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the popularity of series about rich girls. What is it about these books that are appealing? Like most of the books, Hotlanta is filled with lots of designer labels, makeup, and cars. Why do the authors label-drop like this? Does it make you more aware of labels? Does it make you want to buy more designer goods?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Twins enjoy the princess life in Atlanta: attending the "premier, predominantly African-American private institution of learning in the Atlanta area," shopping for designer clothes, driving luxury cars, and generally having it all. But when good girl Sydney starts spending time with her father, who is just out of prison, and sexy Lauren hooks up with a boy from the right side of the tracks, they begin to find cracks in their perfect life -- including that their stepfather may actually be a mobster.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Readers who like reading series about rich girls with problems will likely enjoy this debut about African-American twins growing up spoiled in Atlanta. At least as much as Gossip Girl or Pretty Little Liars or any other series. This book is contrived down to the last detail -- even Sydney's and Lauren's opposite natures seem scripted -- but it has all the stuff that many of today's teens are gripped by: It's packed with labels. It has romance. It even has intrigue: The girls discover that their father is not a car dealer, but rather a mobster.

The Duke twins don't give you a lot to like. Both seem self-centered, though Sydney is more concerned with good-girl appearances, while Lauren has a bit of a bad-girl rep. But there is probably enough drama here between Lauren's relationship with a boy from the poor side of town, and the girls' recent revelation about the stepfather who has always bought them everything, to keep readers looking forward to the next installment. Hopefully, next time around the girls will gain a bit more depth -- and maybe actually solve a few of their problems.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Denee Millner Mitzi Miller
Publisher: Point
Publication date: April 1, 2008
Number of pages: 288
Read Aloud: 12
Read Alone: 12
This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

christina4703
adult
13
 
Hated it. The language is clunky and poorly constructed. The blatant consumerism, instead of making me envious of the twins' glamorous life, made me roll my eyes and dislike
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Tinkerboo618
teen, 14 years old
13
 
My thoughts
Well i didn't finish reading the whole book i was almost done but i really like it i don't think its iffy because i wanted to learn age way ahead of me before i get in that rang because if i get in the same thing they were in i wouldn't know what to do
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (5)
bookreader
teen, 18 years old
13
 
Good book whether everyone likes it or not.
I love it . It was one of the best books I've ever read. Even though suburban families may not enjoy it, urban books like these help people like me with life. The story is very easy to relate to and even if your life isn't exactly like the plot it can teach teenagers lessons on how to handle their own problems. I look forward to reading the second and third book.
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brianamiller15
adult
13
 
i love it
it was about real life and thats wat got me im thinking book are all fake not this one
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (5)
groovyrrr
teen, 15 years old
13
 
PERFECT FOR TEENS AGES:13+
even tho the book has bad language it relates to many young african american teens growing up today, they may not be rich we teens can still RELATE.
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QuishaBoo
teen, 15 years old
14
 
i love it this is a good book i have no kids but if i did they could read it i am a Hotlanta fan to the T
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hotlanta
teen, 16 years old
 
i can't wait' till the next book!
I really always hated reading until i came to this book, it is intersting i didnt want to put it down till i read it all. I love this book so much! please hurry and make the next one.
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Wanna_Baybee_13
teen, 15 years old
13
 
My daughter Tawania thinks that it is very good and she want to get more into the series and she knows not to use anywords that are specifed in the book. so i think she may continue reading it!
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helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (1)

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