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Steinbeck's Ghost

(2008, Fiction - Literary Fiction, Written by Lewis Buzbee)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 10.
  • Is it any good?

    5.0
  • Common Sense says

    A rare treat for young book lovers.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 10 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Travis lies to his parents and friends, but comes clean afterwards and apologizes.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.
  • Sex:

    Not an issue.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    References to phone and cereal brands.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Adults drink whiskey and smoke pipes.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Steinbeck's Ghost

Parents need to know that there is little here of concern: The main character lies to his parents and friend, but apologizes later, and there are a few product mentions, and references to whiskey and pipes.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the place of books in our lives. Do they have the effect on you that they have on the characters in this book? What books have had the most impact in your life? What about libraries -- do they have a place in your life? Why or why not?

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Our Members Say

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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 10
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 4.0

    Good

    I liked this book. It was not the best but it was a good book and I enjoyed it. I think this is a good book for 10 year olds if they are fast readers, otherwise I think this book is more appropriate if you are 12 years old. A boy might like this book better if he likes reading because he might be able to relate to it better than a girl or a boy who does not like reading.

  2. I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 2.0

    disgusted

    I read the glowing csm review and I was so excited when I found this in my library's new arrival section. I love to read, and it sounded great. But to my disgust, it was a pretty typical story, written clumsily, and with stilted dialogue and thought processes. Definitely nothing to rave about.

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