 | 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. |
ttfn
- By Lauren Myracle
- Genre: Coming of Age
Common Sense Media says
Edgy sequel written in IM messages may appeal to teens.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this sequel to TTYL is again written entirely in IM text-message form. It has plenty of "teachable moments." Again, the girls freely and frankly discuss their sex and party lives, giving the book a real ring of authenticity. Booklist says these books are appropriate for kids in 10-12th grades for a reason: they talk about experimentation with sex, drugs, and the love dramas that characterize the high school experience. Mature readers will find the antics relatable, but kids who are not as socially advanced might wrestle with some of what's discussed. But there's nothing in here they won't already have heard about by the time they get to high school, including a variety of controversial topics, such as the pressure to smoke pot, parents with drinking problems, and exploring sexual feelings for the first time. A girl gets busted buying marijuana, another gets caught in bed with a boy, and a third takes a cross-country bus trip without telling anyone. Parents are at times portrayed as poor role models, but this book gives real parents a great way to get into discussing some touchy subjects without prying into their own kids' personal lives.
What's the story?
Angela's father loses his job and uproots the family to California. Meanwhile, Maddie hooks up with a guy from another school who has another love interest but fools around with her on the side (he also introduces her to pot, and she manages to get busted for buying). Finally Zoe, the stereotypical good girl, gets involved with a male co-worker, who formerly had a crush on Angela. Fighting ensues between the girls. But they pull together when miserable Angela comes back to Atlanta via Greyhound without telling her parents.
Is it any good?
Young teens will be happy to know that SnowAngel, mad maddie, and zoegirl are back in TTFN, a sequel to ttyl, also written in text message format. It's a quick read that at times is funny, poignant, and touching, but the intensity of problems shared is lost in the sing-songy rhythm of text messages, complete with graphic smiley faces and dramatic punctuation. The book's format enables the reader to be a voyeur, learning about the deepest secrets of teen girls. It will appeal to younger teen readers who haven't had many of the experiences described here, but the mature material makes it a better fit for high school students. The conclusions are a bit obvious, but the book does impart some nice messages about friendship and being true to yourself.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about censorship. Some people have wanted to ban this series from libraries and schools. Why do you think that is so? Do you feel anyone has the right -- besides you or your parents -- to determine what is right for you?
Why do you think the author wrote the book in IM text?
The girls spend most of their time discussing boys, sex, drugs and little about homework, tests, or any positive extracurricular activities. Do you think they are positive role models? Are they meant to be?
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AGE
No.
I am almost 16, and I read this book along with many other trashy teen novels in middle school, and they gave me the absolute wrong messages. These books led me to believe that all teens drink and have sex and party, and they didn't oppose them. Luckily, I had an epiphany that I don't want to do any of that stuff before I made any mistakes, but these books are the exact wrong thing, and by the time teens are old enough to not be poorly affected, it is too immature. And yes, these things do happen in high school, but there are plenty of social circles teens can find that don't.
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AGE
Slow down, it's fine. It won't mentally scar your kids. Trust.
Okay, I'm 19 now but I read this book as a freshman in high-school. First off, I never had sex or did drugs. I read this book, did that change anything? No. It's a good book about teens who face everyday problems, and some big ones. I honestly think it's silly for parents to want to conceal this book from their children. If your girl is 14, let her read it. I didn't lose my virginity until I was 18, this book didn't change that. I was still the same person I was after I read it. lol. I read this book and came out fine, and now I'm doing medicine in college. So trust me, just let your kids read.
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AGE
READ
im 10, and i understood everything in this series. i think its appropriate for kids with older siblings (13 & up)
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AGE
Acceptable for tweens.
I am twelve and i LOVE this book! Evewn though i haven't had my first kiss yet OR even seen pot, i like the book and understand all of the writing.
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AGE
Get a grip, this is real life
I enjoyed this book very much, it actually has some realistic events in it. For the parents who aren't going to let thier kid read it because of the inapropriate content... if you don't want you're kids hearing this stuff you may as well keep them home from school because that is the only thing kids talk about these days.. I think this is a good book for girls who are at least mature enough to handle it. For any younger girls perhaps 9 and up I suggest the Luv Ya Bunches series. Not too inapropriate, and has realistic events.
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AGE
Great book but shouldn't be read kids in elementary school
I'm 15 and this is a great book! I've read the whole series and I really think this book should not be read by kids in elementary school.
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AGE
A fun read.
Please don't be put off this book just because it's written in IM. There's not necessarily much to discuss and it's not, well, very deep; it's simply just a really fun read. It's about girls dealing with complicated and real situations in their lives, and it's not like they encourage each other to do bad things. They look out for one another. Whenever I'm feeling down or I've had enough of classical literature I read a little of TTFN and feel relaxed. It's funny and the characters are personable and relatable. Funnily enough, just reading about their experiences (trying pot, for instance) satiates my curiousity without me having to actually go out and try these things for myself. It's amazing how Lauren Myracle depicted the girls' different personalities through IM, of all things.
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AGE
Theres so much more to it(:
Truth is, i thought L8r G8r was a much better book than this. but that is just my opinion. Anyway this book was great too! It should me that boys,drugs & sex shouldnt come between friendships. And it showed me that high school isnt just about boys,partys,drugs, &sex. There is so much more to it. Overall GREAT BOOK!!
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AGE
!!!
I read this book when I was 11 and I understood that drugs, drinking ect, is wrong because my parents taught that these things are bad at a young age so as long as your child understands this, it is a great book about three loving friends.
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AGE
omg, i just finished this book and it was amazing! parents think that this book is crap, need to realize that things like these happen in the real world and that you cant keep your kids readng picture books thier whole lives. i mean, how many other books are written in IM form?!
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| Author: | Lauren Myracle |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Coming of Age |
| Publisher: | Amulet Books |
| Publication date: | March 1, 2006 |
| Number of pages: | 224 |
| Hardcover price: | $15.95 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 14 |
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