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Lush (by Natasha Friend)

common sense media says

Heartfelt look at drinking's impact on families.


parents & educators say
  • 40% say there are positive role models
  • 40% say there are positive messages

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is about a girl struggling to cope with an alcoholic father. In an alcohol-fueled rage, her father hits her young brother with a bottle. Also, Sam shares some serious kisses with a high school boy; he pressures her to have sex one night while she's drunk at a party -- until he realizes she's only 13. That same night, she is molested by a group of boys in her grade; when she returns to school, she's called names and her locker is vandalized. In the end, this honest depiction of a struggling family may help readers (and their parents) delve into a touchy topic. Parents and teachers may want to check out Common Sense Media's Alcohol in the Media Tips for some facts and advice.

Educational value: Honest depictions of a struggling family may help readers (and their parents) delve into a touchy topic. Parents and teachers may want to check out Common Sense Media's Alcohol in the Media Tips for some facts and advice.
Positive messages: Alcoholism is the main focus of this book upon first impression, but it also includes themes of empowerment and strength.
Positive role models: Sam's family does ultimately deal with her father's drinking. Sam, too,
learns how to stand up for herself -- and that she's not responsible
for everything.
Violence: Sam's father hits her young brother with a bottle when he is in an alcohol-fueled rage. When Sam is drunk at a party she is molested by a group of boys in her grade.
Sex: Sam shares some serious kisses with a high school boy; he pressures her to have sex one night while she's drunk at a party -- until he realizes she's only 13. Also, the boys in Sam's grade rank the girls on their physical attributes.
Language: Words like "crap" and "slut."
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: The story is about an alcoholic, but the behavior is certainly not glamorized. Sam gets drunk at a party.

More on Lush

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
  • Families can talk about "problem novels" like this one that deal with a tough subject. How are books like this helpful for teens? Why would the author choose to include a list of resources in the back of her book?
  • Did you know that the more alcohol ads young people see, the more they drink? According to one 2006 study, each additional dollar alcohol companies spend on advertising raises the number of drinks youths consume by 3 percent. If you were in charge, would you place any restrictions on alcohol advertisers -- or on other kinds of media targeting teens?
  •  

What's the story?

What's the story?
Samantha's father is an alcoholic and her mother is in denial. Sam doesn't want her friends to know what's happening in her house, so she starts leaving notes for a stranger in the library -- and getting answers. Problems escalate at home and at school, making her mysterious adviser finally reveal himself.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
It should be apparent from the title: LUSH deals with alcoholism. As such, it is a pretty typical problem novel with a pretty standard story arc. Readers won't be surprised when Sam's father finally hits rock bottom (though his violent attack on her sweet young brother seems over the top). Nor will they be shocked when her family finally begins to heal at the end of the book.

 

Author Natasha Friend employs a clever device in the letters that Sam exchanges with a mysterious stranger in the library -- though readers may wish it were flushed out a bit more. Friend also creates tender exchanges between Sam and her parents, and her brother. In the end, Friend treads familiar territory here, but her honest depictions of a struggling family may help readers (and their parents) delve into a touchy topic.

Book themes & details

Book Details
Author: Natasha Friend
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Publication date: October 1, 2006
Number of pages: 192
Hardcover price: $16.99

This review was written by Kate Pavao
 
 

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What parents & educators say

14
Based on 5 parent & educator reviews:
  • 40% say there are positive role models
  • 40% say there are positive messages

Most useful reviews by all members

melissa8298
teen, 16 years old
 
great messages, good for 13 and up
i thought it was great and it taught about acholism

destthebest123
teen, 17 years old
 
awsome book
hey,im 11(turning 12). im in 6th. the book it totally fine 4 at least 10+. im sure by now, they should no all these stuff.THE BEST BOOK EVA!!!!

KatherineLovesJake
teen, 14 years old
 
i loved it when i was 11, and i still love it now.
11 and up understand more than you think. it made more sense to me now, but even back then it was pretty clear.a great coming of age story.the whole sex at the party thing isn really that graphic, and it makes you think about your descisions and what you think she should have done in her situation.

 
Perfect read for age 11 (6th grade) and up
Lush is a touching novel about a teenage girl who struggles with an alcoholic father. There is nothing sinful or explicit in this novel, and if you are at least eleven and in middle school, this is age appropiate.

BrightRose8
teen, 17 years old
 
It was insightful
This book does have some sexual content when the daughter goes to parties and stuff but it's very insightful on how life is with a drunk as a father. And the ending has an uplifting tone... I think it was a good read.. I read it when I was 12 and I took it fairly well.. I think you just need to know your kid before you let them read it.

TwettyBird13
teen, 15 years old
 
good for ages 12+ no younger than that because they wouldn't understand
This book is a great book it teaches you what happens when you decide to be an alcoholic or when someone in your family is an alcoholic and what all you or the person who is going through it has to do SO DON'T BE AN ALCOHOLIC!!!!!!

EspumaMarina
teen, 15 years old
 
"There's the thing with kissing, why lips? Why not noses or eyebrows? -Sam
One of the best books I've ever read! Its hearfelt and realistic, especially today. Sam is a funny character, who cares about her family and friends, and knows her limits. She's witty and funny, and a little unconfortable with her new 'development' Her friends are a loyal clique of girls, one is sensitve, one is discusted easily, and Angie, the sort of leader, is the wild girl (but not in a badway) she does meantion sex a few times, but mostly to gross out the discusted girl, like meantioning white stuff coming out. Her dad Patrick is a drinker, but he cares about his family, (I'm trying not to spoil) he just refuses to except he has a problem, and Sam's pretty stubborn with him when he pretends nothings going on (she also doesn't blurt out about her fathers drinking) she ends up meeting a teenage boy (they get a relationship rather quickly) and at a party she got drunk and he tried getting her to have sex, until she got nervious and blurted her age, which caused him to bug out and leave. Later she's molested by a few boys (she can only remember minor things) Anyway, she also gets in a car with an almost complete stranger, but nothing bad happens. This book is highly recomended, its pretty good and she is respectful. But if I spoiled some stuff, sorry! Read it anyways! Oh, for violence: the molesting thing, and the dad hit Luke with a bottle (made me cry!) Language: "Jesus Christ" "Who*e" "sl*t" "hell" "Oh my God"

EllieRose
kid, 12 years old
 
?
Its nice... You should try a similar book by the same author. Its is called Perfect!

BRIZII
teen, 14 years old
 
Hey im 13 im in 8th grade I <3 this book (=

Kelby80
teen, 13 years old
 
Lush; Natasha Friend
Lush was a very good book, it did have some inapropiate parts in it, it is definitly for ages 12 and up, but otherwise it is one of the best books I have read!

MeliBatista29
teen, 13 years old
 
An ---> AMAZING <--- Book !
i read this book when i was 11 (7th grade) , its an amazing book . it was in my school library , my reading teacher's and language arts teacher's book shelf .

RawR Nd StUfF
teen, 14 years old
 
I DnT LyK ThIs BooK?

Karluveva13
teen, 14 years old
 
Prefect for teens
This sounds like a good book!!!!!

shaunte&#039; ...
teen, 16 years old
 
.....

trustybook
teen, 14 years old
 
Lush
You should have the sex talk with your kid before trust me i know because i read it

sarahbeth757
teen, 16 years old
 
perfect for young teens who are miss understood
i think it is a very good bok. one of the best books ive ever read. it takes me a long time to get into a book but this one i couldnt put down. It is great story for trubbled teens like me. it has family issues, boy issues and friend issues. It really changed tho way i look at some things in my own life. People think im to young to understand stuff like this but im not i know things. Ths book showed me to take action and do something about my life. So if you read it you will love it :)

annakarides
parent of 19 year old
 
perfect for older teens
well, i loved this book... it was actually life changing for me. i cry judt thinking about the passion in it, I LOVE YOUU LUSH! anyone who isnt 17, this just isnt appropriate for you.

greeneygirl27
teen, 15 years old
 
great for tweens!
Hi, I am 12 years old, and in 7th grade. I read the book Lush, and it was in fact, in my language art's teacher's library, so i think it was appropriate, and i absolutely loved it. I can't wait to get my hands on Bounce!

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