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In Mike We Trust

(2009, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by P.E. Ryan)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 11, age appropriate for kids over 14; suggested age 14.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    Secrets fill engaging novel about gay teen.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 14 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    Garth lies to his mother and friends; he participates in his uncle's money-making scams even though he knows they are dishonest. Mike says he gambles for a living; he involves Garth in several illegal scams asking people to donate to bogus charities. When Garth comes out to his mother, she asks him to "put the topic on hold" until he's older and more capable of dealing with it. After he calls a support line, his mother angrily tells him that "if you respect me, you'll stick to your promise" not to tell anyone. His uncle is more supportive and takes him to a gay bookstore. Garth and Lisa volunteer every week at a dog shelter. Lisa breaks up with a guy because he called her gay friends names. Adam's father is uncomfortable with his son's sexuality.

  • Violence:

    The boyfriend of a woman Mike cons shows up at Garth's house to beat up Mike. (Mike disappears and Garth's mom tells the boyfriend to leave.)

  • Sex:

    Garth and Lisa watch boys and comment on their looks. Cleaning up graffiti on a bathroom stall at work, Garth says he "couldn't imagine having sex with a total stranger and certainly not in a restroom." He wonders if he will die a virgin. A gay bookstore has a lot of "racy" stuff with photo books with half-naked men; "Garth wanted everything his eyes fell on." His uncle grabs a handful of free condoms and tells him he doesn't have to have sex but to use one if he does. Adam and Garth share a first kiss. Lisa's brother gets his girlfriend pregnant; her parents offer to pay for a "you know what."

  • Language:

    "Fag," "bulls--t," "damn," "hell," "ass," "son of a bitch," "crap," "bastard." A couple people flip off Lisa when she takes their pictures.

  • Consumerism:

    A few mentions of specific brands, such as fictional characters (Superman, Scooby-Doo), companies (FedEx, PayPal, eBay), food (Tootsie Pops, Milky Way), and cars. Garth wants to spend some of the money his uncle scammed -- "Just a hundred? Who would know?" -- but his friend Lisa keeps him honest. (He gives it to his mom, who plans to donate the money.)

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Garth's mother asks Mike if he is dealing drugs; he tells her he's cleaned up his act and doesn't even smoke cigarettes or drink anymore.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About In Mike We Trust

Parents need to know that this book features a series of con jobs where the main character and his uncle bilk people out of their money in the name of bogus charities. Garth is gay and shares a kiss with a boy he likes. Part of the novel is about Garth's struggle to gain his mother's acceptance of his sexual orientation; she wants him to "put it on hold."

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Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how Garth and his mother approach honesty. Garth blames his mom for his lying because he insists she started it by asking him to hide his sexual orientation. How important is always telling the truth to your family?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer Age 13
    9001
    I rate this title iffy for age 16 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    Not for young teenagers.

    I haven't read this book, and I don't plan on reading this book, but judging by the review this sounds like it is NOT for kids.

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate

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