 | 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. |
Rehab
- By Randi Reisfeld
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Common Sense Media says
Teen star's struggle gives families lots to talk about.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that while there is drug use enabled by adults, there are also consequences. Also, quite a few name-brand products peppered throughout the book. There is a brief description of two teens having sex and some swearing, including "f--k."
What's the story?
Kenzie always knew she'd be an actress and she always knew she'd be a star -- she just thought it would take more time. When her first role in a TV show becomes a breakout hit, Kenzie finds her star rising, and fast. She also starts embracing a fast life complete with clubbing, drinking, and recreational drugs. The problem is, everything is going too fast. Can she get it together before she loses everything?
Is it any good?
REHAB starts off as a typical teen partying book with plenty of fabulous soirees and high-end clothing. It then evolves into a sensitive, realistic look at a teen's struggle to make sense of a world that profits off of young people without consideration of their needs. This novel works because of Kenzie's character. At the heart of the starlet is a real girl that hasn't been completely consumed by her surroundings. The adults in Kenzie's inner circle, the ones trusted with managing her career, regularly give her drugs to wake her up, calm her down, or adjust whatever mood she needs to be in to "sell herself." Parasitic relationships, betrayal, and abandonment issues are center to Kenzie's struggle. Readers will understand and sympathize with Kenzie's struggle and those of the people she meets in rehab.
One standout aspect in the book is that Kenzie is not fully addicted to drugs and alcohol. She finds herself standing on the edge of the cliff, but just before she falls over she is sent to rehab. This is a good angle for teens who feel that occasional overindulgence and prescription drug abuse isn't harmful. This is also a good entry book for parents to continue a discussion of toxic friendships, drugs, and the media's spotlight on stars who behave badly.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about some of the young women in Hollywood. How does the media portray their partying and drug use? How would you react to having people disclose your secrets to the world? Should people so young have so many people depending on them to make money? What relationships in Kenzie's life were harmful to her? Which ones were helpful?
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Drug education or encouragement?
I thought it was a good book. It educated me more on drugs and why not to use them! Now I have better knowledge and understanding of drugs. I also thought it had an inspiring storyline. However it did seem to encourage drug useage in the beginning.
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| Author: | Randi Reisfeld |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Contemporary Fiction |
| Publisher: | Simon Pulse |
| Publication date: | July 1, 2008 |
| Number of pages: | 256 |
| Paperback price: | $8.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
| Read aloud: | 14 |
| Read alone: | 14 |
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