Jinx (by Meg Cabot)
common sense media says
Witchy fun for Cabot fans. OK but not magical.
parents & educators say
- 67% say there are positive messages
- 33% say there are positive role models
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this book is about a nice girl who is a witch -- and a mean girl who thinks she is one. Jinx may be a "bad luck magnet" but she has a strong moral center and
keeps trying to do what's right, and her story imparts a good
underlying message about being yourself. There is an apparent suicide attempt, an attempted bloodletting, and a stalking (thanks to a love spell gone bad). Jean and her boyfriend share kisses that she feels "all the way to my toes." Also, Tory drinks and takes Ritalin and Valium and the au pair shares a bed with her boyfriend.
Educational value:
Teens will find this a fun if not necessarily deep read. Could be a good way for parents to begin a conversation with their daughters about "mean girl" behavior.
Positive role models:
Jinx may be a "bad luck magnet" but she has a strong moral center and keeps trying to do what's right.
Violence:
An intense scene toward the end has Jean tied up by her cousin; Torrance wants to cut her and drink her blood. Torrance also is taken to the hospital in what looks like a suicide attempt.
Sex:
Some smooches between Jean and Zach. The au pair sleeps in the same bedroom as her boyfriend.
Language:
Some words like "bitch" or "freakin'."
Consumerism:
Mentions include Betsey Johnson, Gucci, Ferragamos, and Laguna Beach.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Tory and her friends drink and take drugs; Tory takes Ritalin and Valium.
More on Jinx
Review It
Based on 3 parent & educator reviews:
- 67% say there are positive messages
- 33% say there are positive role models
- 33% say it's educational
Most useful reviews by all members
lindzgirl95
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
good book for fantasy/teen romance fans
Meg Cabot is one of my favorite authors, and I enjoyed this book. It is not as good as some of her other books (ie: Princess Diaries, 1-800-WHERE-R-U series), and the ending was pretty typical. But, the desriptions were vivid and the way magic was used was interesting. It wasn't really inappropriate and I would say that this book was a fun a read but the main character did not have as much depth as I would have liked to see.
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earthgurl
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Not a must-read
The author, Meg Cabot, is known for her humorous books about teen girls trying to fit in. I guess she kind of messed up this one. I missed her style while I was reading.
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megan094eva
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
Kept me hooked!
A great book, but drugs are largely a common theme. Also, there is a suicide attempt, although I reckon that a mature 12 year old could read it.
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Christian gurl
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Very unclean and not really good
No way, not for tweens, i read and thought, so inappropriate
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dancing girl
kid, 12 years old
kid, 12 years old
The book is strange in a way but still a good book. If there are any kids who like Meg Cabot and are stuck on a book or series to read, read the series: The Mediator. The series is about ghosts, love, romance, some mystery, the series is just too good to be true.
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brenna leigh
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
AMAZING
amazing book! I loved it! the ending is so awesome! I reread it about 3 times it was so good. I defiantly recommend it, though there is some violence, but overall a very enjoyable book.
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bballbabe
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
i liked this book a lot
it had a lot of witchcraft and i dont believe in it but it was still a really good book
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CommonSenseParent
parent
parent
Excellent read for 6th grade and up
Jinx by Meg Cabot is an excellent and well-written read for ages 11 and up. Kids will enjoy this fun tale set in New Your City, and the book is not iffy at all. A+
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swimgirl2405
adult
adult
5 stars
Meg Cabot has done it again. This is another amazing novel. The beginning starts out slow, but don't give up on this book. Once you hit the end it all makes sense. You'll love the ending. I was so anxious to turn the pages. It's a sweet romance/mystery/sci-fi novel. All teen readers (12 and up) will adore this. Trust me,I'm a bookworm - ha. Parents should not worry about this book. There is one kissing scene, and a mild murder attempt. But in that area, it is not different from most mystery novels. To sum it all up, just read it!
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sarah-swift
teen, 15 years old
teen, 15 years old
Amaaaaaaazing!!
It's reaaaallly niiiice!! Meg Cabot OWNS!! its a perfect mix of magic, romance and growing up troubles.. briill ;)
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msenziecullen
teen, 14 years old
teen, 14 years old
amazing
amazing book.
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forgetregret93
teen, 18 years old
teen, 18 years old
Great read for teen girls
First, I want to say I am a HUGE Meg Cabot fan. I've read all the Princess Diaries, 1-800-WHERE-R-U's, Mediators, and All-American Girl, its sequal Ready or Not, Teen Idol, Pants on Fire, and How to be Popular. Once you've read at least five of her books, you get her pattern for the love story part (except with Princess Diaries). It does get annoying. And even though Jinx had the same pattern (girl-likes-guy-but-girl-doesn't-think-he-likes-her-but-he-does-and-they-live-happily-ever-after), it was exciting. Jean is like almost every character Meg writes in her books, except, instead of being a phsycic, a mediator, or a princess, she's a witch. Not only does it have witchcraft and romance, comedy plays a big part. This a great read for any Meg Cabot fan or any teen girl.
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MediaMonkey1999
kid, 13 years old
kid, 13 years old
Fine For Teenagers
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tori9lm
teen, 17 years old
teen, 17 years old
pretty good
i like Meg cabot so it was a bit different but otherwise really good, But weird.
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trustyourkids
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
great book!
lots of teen related subjects involved...not for kids
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RotaGirl
teen, 13 years old
teen, 13 years old
One of my Favorite books of all time!
I loved this book, read it all in one day, wish there was another one just like it!
I love Meg Cabot shes an amazing writer!
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