 | 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. |
Paper Towns
- Genre: Friendship
Common Sense Media says
Edgy but compelling teen angst mystery.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that as with Green's other books, this one contains some edgy material: teens will find plenty of salty teen language and sexual references here, though nothing graphic. Two kids come across the dead body of a man who killed himself, and later Q. wonders if Margo has committed suicide. Also, the very appealing main characters sneak out at night and conduct a series of pranks, involving vandalism and misdemeanors, for which there are no consequences other than a fond and amusing memory. But the characters -- and the writing -- are very sophisticated. Readers will find references to Moby Dick, Leaves of Grass -- and be asked to think critically about identity and how well we ever really know anyone.
What's the story?
Quentin lives next door to Margo, the amazing, vibrant, wickedly sophisticated teen goddess of his town, with whom he has been in love since they were in elementary school. But in high school she has mostly ignored him. A few weeks before graduation, she shows up at his window, leading him on a night-long series of payback pranks, after which she disappears. Worried that she may have committed suicide, Quentin obsessively pursues clues he thinks she has left him, involving Woody Guthrie, Walt Whitman, and nonexistent towns that are either failed developments or mapmakers' copyright traps.
Is it any good?
With his third book, author John Green seems to be developing a specialty -- thoughtful, talky stories about smart but clueless high school boys trying to figure out girls, love, and life while dealing with a crisis and a road trip. The key to his books' success is in his vivid and engaging characters, both major and secondary, who are trying to figure it all out. In this one, Margo is AWOL for much of the book, and Quentin is obsessively trying to figure out what happened to her -- so it's his supportive friends who provide the reader with the humor and pure joie de vivre that makes the book fun as well as thoughtful. Quentin's two best friends are characters in both meanings of the word: both are band geeks; Ben is obsessed with prom, thrilled to have a date, and likes to think of himself as retro-cool (he refers to girls as honeybunnies, and Quentin is unable to convince him that it's not cool, it's just dorky). Radar is a fanatical editor of a Wikipedia-like site, and his parents have the world's second largest collection of black Santas. Together with Quentin, they're a pretty sweet group of teens, and readers will enjoy their journey -- and conversations.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about edgy coming-of-age stories. Does the language or other mature content in this book seem realistic? Is there anything that is -- or should be -- off limits when it comes to books marketed to teens?
John Green's characters often go on road trips. What other road trip books or movies can you think of? Why are road trips so often a part of coming-of-age stories?
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AGE
Wonderful Book
Prefect for 8 and older as long as read with a parent and you talk about it with them.
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Kid, 12 years old
September 6, 2010
AGE
John Green
French the llama John Green is awesome.
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AGE
An older teen's perspective
I am seventeen, and just read this book. I would like to say that, contrary to what some of these reviews say, it is NOT for young kids. I feel sad for the kids who said they read this at twelve, and wonder what their parents are thinking! I think it is a compelling story, good for light reading for older teens--I would hardly want myself of two years ago reading it. Green is a fantastic writer and his characters are funny and fun, but I wish he had realized that the profanity and sexual references in his books do not contribute to, and often hinder, his stories and messages.
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AGE
Wash out your Mouth with Soap!
OH MAN! Bad language all over the place
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AGE
I loved it
it was a great book i personally loved it. it wasent as bad as they say because there is typically worse going around in schools these days (then again it all depends where go you and how old the kids are in the school). so the language wasent that bad.
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AGE
Awesome Book!
"Paper Towns" is a funny, engaging, eye-opening book. It had me laughing, it had me crying, it had me pondering the way I look at other people. John Green is able to convey an interesting, mysterious novel great for teens. In regards to questionable content, this novel makes use of the occasional four-letter word, has some frank sexual discussion, a bit of violence, and heavy under-age drinking. But really it's nothing any 13 year-old hasn't already heard.
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AGE
I really liked this book!
I'm only 12 but i really liked this book. I wouldn't let anyone under at least 12 read this and that's only if they're really mature and know about stuff cause they talk about some 'inappropriate' things but anyway i really liked it i read it in one day!!
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AGE
Fantastic!
This book is one of the best books I've ever read! It's quite appropriate for ages 14 and up. John Green's writing is fantastic. The book is realistic, but also wonderful and exciting. Definitely not something for anyone under the age of 14. I did feel the language was a little bit too much, but then again the characters are Seniors in High School.
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AGE
Wondeful Book
I wouldn't say this is my favorite book of all time, but it's definitely one of them. I'm only twelve years old, but I loved this book and understood the metaphors perfectly. And it's pretty funny as well. John Green is a talented and brilliant writer.
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AGE
Love it my kids love it can teach you about phycology if you look hard NERDFIGHTERS FTW
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| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Friendship |
| Publisher: | Dutton Children's Books |
| Publication date: | October 13, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 320 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 12 - 12 |
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