The Steps (by Rachel Cohn)
common sense media says
Spunky tween learns to accept her new, complicated family.
parents & educators say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a boook about a girl with divorced parents -- and a complicated family -- who wants them to get back together again. Annabel doesn't behave perfectly -- she is image obsessed and even runs away with her stepsister. But she is a realistic character who does grow into someone able to accept her new reality. There's a lot of label dropping, but this could be a good choice for tweens having to adjust to new family situations.
Educational value:
This is a book tweens and teens -- girls in particular -- will devour quickly. Could be a good choice for tweens having to adjust to new family situations.
Positive role models:
Annabel doesn't behave perfectly -- she is image obsessed and even runs away with her stepsister. But she is a realistic character who does grow into someone able to accept her new reality.
Violence:
Not an issue.
Sex:
Parents make out on the couch. Growing breasts and periods are discussed. A first kiss.
Language:
Not an issue.
Consumerism:
Lots -- Annabel is a brand-name shopper, and believes that wearing the right clothes solves many of life's problems. Many real brands and stores mentioned.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
Kids try smoking.
More on The Steps
Review It
Most useful reviews by all members
riica
teen, 16 years old
teen, 16 years old
A must-read book for everybody with steps or half siblings
i loved the book it was a realy great book it left me in a lot of suspense i though annabel would of never survive all da new family members coming in her life.i no excaly wat she is going though
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caitlyn69842
adult
adult
I think that this is a very good book. I am 17 and i've read this book about 4 times.
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5941
adult
adult
It was very nice
Annabel's family is complicated (and diagrammed on the cover of the book). When she travels from New York to visit her father and his new family in Australia, she has one thought in mind -- to convince him to come back. She sees her new stepsiblings and stepmother as the ones who stole her father from her so, despite their initial friendliness, she is determined to be cool to them.
But, of course, this doesn't go as planned. Her father is happy with his new family in a way that he never was before, and she finds herself liking her stepsister, Lucy. But more difficulties are on the way -- while she was gone, her mother got remarried to the father of a boy in her class.
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