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Lost It (by Kristen Tracy)

common sense media says

Comical coming-of-age with teen sex, MIA parents.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that the main character discusses losing her virginity. She talks about the experience and subsequent sexual encounters. The sexual encounters aren't graphic, but are still detailed. Another girl acts out violently by making and detonating a bomb. Parents abandon their children and are unfaithful to their spouses. While there are some positive adult role models, the teens are largely left on their own.

Positive messages: Parents are uninvolved in their children's lives. A girl lies about having a medical condition. A girlfriend becomes obsessed with her relationship with her boyfriend. A girl becomes obsessed with blowing up a poodle.
Violence: A girl is injured in a car accident and an animal is killed. A girl creates a bomb and detonates it.
Sex: A girl talks about how her breasts are two different sizes. A teen discusses her heavy petting sessions with her boyfriend and how she lost her virginity. Her grandmother gives her a book on sex and sexuality. Talk of infidelity in a couple's marriage.
Language: Mild swearing.
Consumerism: Cars and Diet Coke mentioned
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Adults drink alcohol.
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More on Lost It

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about healthy relationships, sex education, and ways to cope with negative issues. Would Tess have made the same decisions if she had had access to sex education? How did Tess' worries about her family and friends hurt her relationship with Ben?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Tess Whistle is having a rough year. Her parents get some insane idea about joining a survival camp in Utah and leave her with her grandmother, plus her best friend builds a bomb and obsesses about blowing up a poodle. When a new boy shows up at school she falls for him instantly and hopes he can block out all the craziness in her life. Maybe, maybe not.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
LOST IT is a pretty darn funny coming-of-age book that takes us through a complicated time in quirky teen Tess Whistle's life. In a twist, while Tess is exploring more grown-up relationships and sex, parents in the book are off experiencing a second adolescence. No meddling parents are shocked with Tess' explorations, and it's her grandmother who gives her a book on sexuality. It takes a pretty dangerous situation to get parents to take notice again.

The book is clear on what happens to girls like Tess without parenting -- they become dependent on their boyfriends for support, often too dependent. Still Tess' mistakes and her ability to cope offer positive lessons for mature teen readers.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Kristen Tracy
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Publication date: January 23, 2007
Number of pages: 288
Paperback price: $6.99
This review was written by Terreece Clarke
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

Elliottkids
teen, 13 years old
12
 
Perfect book for kids13 and up
I love this book and im only in Grade 7. It was inappropriate, but then again I read Forever.. by Judy Blume and its WAY worse but a great book,
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addictedtobooks101
teen, 17 years old
13
 
i almost cried!!
i read lost it last night and it is a truely amazing book!! i loved it!! i loved tess and ben together i mean they truely loved each other and i was so sad when he found out that she really wasn't a diabetic!! i understand why he was so hurt and it makes sense but i really wish he would have let her explain.. but it show that one little lie can turn into something very horrific!!
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (5) | read my mind (3)
twistofcain
adult
12
 
great book
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helped me decide (5) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (4)
PolkaDot123
teen, 16 years old
14
 
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helped me decide (3) | had useful details (4) | read my mind (4)
MarissaMcKay
teen, 16 years old
 
A must read book for teens and adults:Lost it
Lost it is a funny but serious book . i can relate with the crazy family and friends thing so it was a great book to read. tess is a typical teen and so is ben even though he has struggled with cancer and as for zena well shes odd but cool. Marissa ♥
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Nadinejaz
teen, 14 years old
12
 
Must read for everybody
Kids are getting more and more into sexual things, I think it's 100% ok for a 12 year old to read, or maybe even younger. It teaches about how lies can turn into something so much more in a small amount of time if you don't stop them while they're small. It's witty and funny, a really good read for everyone.
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vbutler9
adult
14
 
It was a very acceptable book when I read it at age 14. It has just enough detail to keep you hooked but not enough to be offended. I suggest that you let girls read it because it is easier to learn things from books instead of having a conversation with your parents.
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roc2theEDGE
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Easy to relate to
It's a good book that is easy in most cases for today's teens to relate to
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