 | 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. |
Lush
- By Natasha Friend
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Heartfelt look at drinking's impact on families.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
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?
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.
What families can talk about
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?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
great messages, good for 13 and up
i thought it was great and it taught about acholism
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AGE
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.
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Kid, 12 years old
November 1, 2011
AGE
?
Its nice... You should try a similar book by the same author. Its is called Perfect!
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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.
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AGE
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!!!!
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AGE
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!!!!!!
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AGE
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 .
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AGE
"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"
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| Author: | Natasha Friend |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Scholastic Inc. |
| Publication date: | October 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 192 |
| Hardcover price: | $16.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
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