 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The It Chicks
- By Tia Williams
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Wannabe stars are full of drama in series debut.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book features kissing and petting, a character poses nude for an art class drawing, and girls talk about sex toys. One character even describes whipping her boyfriend "with my bra while he lies there in a fetal position and sucks on the heel of my stilettos." There is drinking, drug dealing, and using, and lots of strong language. Some labels are dropped: Red Bull, Starbucks, Fendi, Roberto Cavalli, Christian Louboutin, plus the names of real hip-hop artists.
What's the story?
Tangie starts school at a New York City performing arts school, ready to dance. But the drama here happens both on and off the stage: uber-popular (but drug-dependent) Eden starts dating a gangsta rapper, rumors abound about a mysterious new girl who claims to be only 14, and even good-girl Tangie finds herself torn between her soul mate and the school's star dancer.
This book packs in plenty of plot: There are closeted gay characters, a diva who is secretly super insecure -- and even a mystery surrounding Tangie's mom's long disappearance from her daughter's life. All the while the kids are dancing and drawing and acting their little hearts out.
Is it any good?
This series debut, about a group of mostly African-American teens at a New York City performing arts school, has a lot of the familiar trappings: backstabbing friends, closeted characters, absent parents, drugs, sex, fashion. But it does have a fun premise and enough lively dialogue to hook readers who like these never-ending soap opera sagas. At least these characters are good at something besides shopping, starving themselves, and gossip (though there's plenty of that here, too) -- they sweat on the dance floor, practice their drama dialogs, etc. Even the drugged-out, popular-but-hollow senior girl is presented as an enormous acting talent.
The big problem with this book -- and a lot of these clique lit series installments -- is that it spews too many story lines. Nothing is resolved here, and characters don't really show any growth. Fans may itch for the next volume, but they really won't have learned anything here.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about young adult books -- like this one -- that feature lots of gritty, mature material. Is it OK for authors to push the envelope if it gets kids reading books? Do authors like Tia Williams promote unhealthy behavior by writing books that make drugs and sex seem glamorous?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
This book is okay. Although, I didn't like the constant amount of prouducts being mentioned. I don't want to read a catalog.
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AGE
This book is Poppin'!!
This book is the best ,because it kinda relates to what kids (teenz) nowadays are doing-- and NOT just drugs,drinking,exc.-- Most of the people i know want to be SUCCESSFUL and Be Noticed and'll do ANYTHING to get it!! AND this book shows EXACTLY that! BUY IT!!
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AGE
joyful, cool
besides all the bad stuff its funny intertaning it makes you feel like you kinda want to be there its so cool
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AGE
I loved this book!
Im 13 and every1 in my school. has read this book! and Yes there are some parts that 7,8,9 year olds should NOT know about. But being my age there is NOTHING wrong with it! I LOVED this book and thought it was interesting. I recomend this book to young adults that want a good book to read, and some people may not like it at the begining but once you get into the book it's very very good!
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AGE
I LOVE this book! Great for the whole family!!
Heck yeah i loved this book! I have read it tons of times. I think that it is appropriate for all ages. Everyone has going to found out about the "sexual content" in this book so why not now? I think this is a wonderful book for the whole family!
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AGE
THIS BOOK IS THE S#@%!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I totally LOVED this book. It rocks.WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ITS OFF THE CHAIN YO!!!!!! I THINK THAT EVERY TEENAGER SHOULD READ IT. IT DOESN'T PROMOTE VIOLENCE. IT GIVES WAYS TO SOLVE THEM. SO BUY THE BOOK PEOPLE CAUSE IF YOU DONT YOU ARE MISSING OUT BIG TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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AGE
Pure GARBAGE!
This book has absolutely no redeeming value to anyone of any age. It's unbelieveable that such trash is published. I guess it's a case of "anything to make a buck".
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AGE
I love this book
I must say that even though most of the characters in the book are between the ages of 15-18 as a twenty year old I felt that I could relate, the story was real, romantic, exciting and left me wanting more. A must read for adults as well as teens
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| Author: | Tia Williams |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Jump at the Sun |
| Publication date: | April 1, 2007 |
| Number of pages: | 304 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
| Read aloud: | 15 |
| Read alone: | 15 |
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