Parents need to know that this sequel to TTYLis 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.
Educational value:Teens reading this book will be able to find teachable moments in some of the experiences the book describes. See our "Families Can Talk About" sections for some ideas for topics you might want to bring up with your kids.
Positive messages:Teens will relate to the drama and will probably learn how not to handle certain situations (drunk dialing, for example, is never a go-to strategy for dealing with love interests). This is a warts-and-all presentation, and while not an "inspirational" set of messages, certainly the book contains lessons.
Positive role models:These girls are not exactly positive role models for kids. But they aren't supposed to be. Instead, they are pretty true-to-life portraits of teens who are sexually active and who like to party. Parents are discussed by girls as drinkers and poor role models. Ultimately, this a funny book about love and friendship.
Sex:This is pretty no-holds-barred -- after all it's teen girls talking honestly. They discuss kissing, fondling, oral sex, being naked in bed with boys, masturbation. Discussion of flirtation between a male teacher and students.
Language:This is a book written in Instant Message form. To be true and credible, dialogues contain crude language including exclamations of" f--k," etc..
Consumerism:The girls address specific clothing stores and types of dress.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking:Experimentation with drugs is a common theme in teen literature. One character experiments with pot. She also is picked up by police for buying. Her parents are drinkers and admit to trying pot themselves.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.
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.
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.
Mommy to Mom parent of and 2 , 5 , 12 , 15 year old
11
Perfect for tweens, but not for kids younger than 10
I think that TTFN is a wonderful book. Even though Bridget, my daughter, hates when I read her books before i give them to her, it helps her relate to real life. It also made her very mature. She has all of the books in this seris and will never stop rereading.
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.
Maybe I am a prude, but I do not think this book is appropiate. In the 1st 27 pages the girls talk about very intimate sexual stuff and about a teacher getting a "stiffie" because he looks at the girls boobs. I also thought it was poorly written. No Depth or texture. I'm not letting my 12 yr old daughter read it and I am warning my daughters friends partents about it.
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.
So, i read this series when i was like 10, but my mom was okay with it. i didnt understand what they were talking about at 1st because i didnt really use "text lingo" but i caught on. it's a very realistic book and i enjoyed it so much :) i wish i had friends like this :)
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?!
This book is perfect for young adult or older teens. I read this book myself and thought, why would this be in the teen section at the library? This book does contain some sexual intercourse, drugs, and christian holiness. Parents if you see that your teen is reading this book don't assume their having sex. Talk to them, don't be a stranger, be a parent.
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!!
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.
When there are so many quality books for teens, why would anyone spend time or money on this drivel? This series is primarily written as text messaging and focuses on girls bullying one another while their lame parents are poor role models--duh!
hey im a 15 year old girl i think your boooks are great. they have so many great topics that tenns like me go throw. this book makes you never want to put it down. -alexis
Im 13 and i loved ttyl and ttfn. im gonna buy l8r g8r cause the first two books were FANTASTIC!! i really think this book is ok for 12 and up as long as the parents think there child is mature enough and aware of what is going on, and how to appropriatly handle a situation that happened in the book, if it happens in real life. this book allows the parent and teen to both be more open in the discussion of safe sex and how drugs may effect you. this book has some good messages on how to be a terrific friend and and choose great friends... i hope you liked this book as much as i did!!