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The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It

(2007, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Lisa Shanahan)

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.

  • Is it any good?

    4.0

  • Common Sense says

    As smart, funny, and teen-centric as its title.

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    The characters are flawed, but find a way to cope with all that is going on in their lives. Most of them understand the consequences of their actions and when they hurt each other, they feel remorse.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Domestic violence, bombs go off twice resulting in a person being killed and several injured. There are also fights among students.

  • Sex:

    A married couple talks about passion and romance, there's a budding romance between two teens. A girl is called the "Big Mistake" because she was a surprise pregnancy.

  • Language:

    Some swear words, but nothing excessive.

  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Alcohol and tobacco use by both teens and adults.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About The Sweet, Terrible, Glorious Year I Truly, Completely Lost It

Parents need to know there is domestic violence and teen drug use in this book. Teen characters struggle with family, interpersonal, and class issues. Overall the book has a light touch about these topics, as reflected in the title.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about domestic violence and class issues in their school. Why did Gemma feel like she would be betraying Raven if she told what she had witnessed at Raven's home? How would you react? Is there a trusted adult that you could talk to? Why were the De Head children treated differently? Why did Gemma feel guilty for disliking Raven? Would you have been embarrassed to call him a friend?
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Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer Age 12
    Open_The_Book
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 12 and give it 5.0

    I LOVED IT!!

    This book truley is sweet terrible(not) glorious and absolutly awesome!! I loved it so much that, under the twilight saga, its my fav!

    This review...

    Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
    Flag as inappropriate
  2. Teen Reviewer Age 15
    PrincessEmly
    Lives in Massachusetts
    I rate this title on for age 2 and give it 5.0

    I LOVE THIS BOOK

    I REALLY REALLY REALLY REALLY LOVE THIS BOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    This review...

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

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