ttfn - Lauren Myracle

Sequel written in IM messages may appeal to teens.

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About Our Ratings
Common Sense rates it
3
Read the book?
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Book details
  • Author:Lauren Myracle
  • # of pages: 224
  • Publisher:Amulet Books
  • Original Publication Date: 03/01/2006
  • Genre: Fiction - Coming of Age
  • Hardcover: $15.95
  • Publisher's Recommended Reading Level: 14
  • Read Aloud: 14
  • Read Alone: 14

Parents need to know

Parents need to know that this sequel to ttyl is again written entirely in IM text-message form. They discuss a variety of controversial topics, including 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 the third takes a cross-country bus trip without telling anyone. Parents are portrayed as poor role models.

Families can talk about why this sequel was written. Does the story make it worth another round -- or is it popular just because of the format? What are the limitations of writing in IM text? What challenges do you think the author faced? The girls spend most of their time discussing boys, sex, drugs and little about homework, tests, or any positive extracurricular activities. Is this a realistic portrayal?

Message

Social Behavior:

Parents are discussed by girls as drinkers and poor role models.

Consumerism:

Mentioning of specific clothing stores and types of dress.

Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:

One charactrer experiments with pot. She also is picked up by police for buying. Her parents are drinkers and admit to trying pot themselves.

Violence

Sex

Girls discuss kissing, fondling, oral sex, being naked in bed with boys, masturbation. Discusion of flirtation between male teacher and students.

Language

In dialogue, there are exclamations of f---, etc..

Common Sense says

What's the story?

Reviewed by Matt

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 Atanta via Greyhound without telling her parents.

Is it any good?

3

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.

What's unique about this book, like its prequel, is the format and the way it enables the reader to be a voyeur, learning about the deepest secrets of teen girls. Because of this, it will appeal to younger teen readers or those who haven't had such experiences. Older teens will likely be bored by the tribulations of these coming-of-age girls and their egocentic dialogue (and the predictable conclusions the book comes to).

Other choices

Fun Girl Friendship Stories
ttyl by Lauren Myracle
The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants by Anne Brashares
Sex Kittens and Horn Dawgs Fall in Love by Maryrose Wood

Related Web Site
 Author's site

Parents and kids say

All Reviews

There are 35 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/05/08 by itsssaruhh Kid contributor, age 13

haa better than mean girls =]

this book was like taking reading to a whole new level. after i read ttyl, i gave it to my friend and she loved it. soo we went out and bought ttfn, which was totally worth it. keep the series comin' ;).
5


Posted on 06/22/08 by ilovesilver Kid contributor, age 12

sounds really good

im readding ttyl and its awesome so this one should be better
Age 17+
3

Posted on 06/05/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

NOT appropriate for TWEENS or young TEENS!

This whole series is BAD, because it LOOKS young, but discusses in great detail very many situations that are only appropriate for much older kids.
4


Posted on 05/28/08 by booklovr89 Kid contributor, age 11

A fantsastic read!!

even though i am only 11 years of age i still L-O-V-E-D this book!! This book may have some words or saying in it not approtie for my age. I would recomend this book for girls 13-16. This book I think didnt need every curse that was in there but it did make it a bit more realistic cuz every girl isnt perfect and then somtimes curse and show off a little around their friends! over all i think this book is fabulous and every gurl who thinks is apporiate for her shoudl read it !! <3
4


Posted on 05/22/08 by PrincessPixie101 Kid contributor, age 10

Good Book, but not for kids

I loved ttfn! It was a great, realistic book, but you should know that I am super mature for my age, and that this book is NOT appropriate for kids under 13,14 or 15 years old.In this book, kids drink underage (and the kids and their parents think it's no big deal),one girl runs away from home without her parents knowing, one girl starts buying illegal pot and smokes it without her parents knowing because of peer pressure(but she stops in the end and a message comes across that you should never smoke),there's also lots of sex talk plus multiple uses of language such as the f-word and much more. This book is really meant for teens, so don't let your kids read it.
5


Posted on 05/18/08 by bookworm10 Kid contributor, age 11

this book

is the best. it teaches children everything i would not want to teach them about!I can not imgine talking to my child about oral sex and masturbation so nice book can help!
3


Posted on 04/17/08 by readritelrn Kid contributor, age 13

Want 2 read it!!!!!!!

I havent read this book yet but i am dying to read i t i mean i have heard some bad things but it sounds sooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!!
5


Posted on 03/11/08 by strict critic Kid contributor, age 13

WOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Even though I have not read this book i have read the first one ttyl. If you thought ttfn was inappropriate you should read this: a teacher has SEXUAL intrest in a STUDENT, KIDS us fake I.D.s to get into a bar, and a whole bunch of other stuff! You should read this. I think this is an appropriate book cause if your child has not read this they should! It will help them learn the secrets about the SEXUAL world! I am a teenager and my mom has never told me about the SEXUAL world. I learned from all of my friends and ttyl helped me understand all of the stuff they talk about. THIS BOOK IS HELPFUUUULLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Age 17+
0


Posted on 02/21/08 by Rosemary416 Adult contributor

Borderline ponography

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.
3


Posted on 02/19/08 by Bri4christ1 Kid contributor, age 11

not that bad

I read this book and im 11 years old i dont really find anything wrong with this book.if adults think that this book is bad you should think about what kids learn from the internet and boys from middle school.You cant avoid it even if your innocent.

See all 35 reviews >

Adult Reviews

There are 7 reviews.

Age 17+
3

Posted on 06/05/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

NOT appropriate for TWEENS or young TEENS!

This whole series is BAD, because it LOOKS young, but discusses in great detail very many situations that are only appropriate for much older kids.
Age 17+
0


Posted on 02/21/08 by Rosemary416 Adult contributor

Borderline ponography

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.
Age 17+
0

Posted on 01/04/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor

Dumb or dumber?

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!
Age 13+
5

Posted on 03/29/07 by Anonymous Adult contributor

i laghed i cryed i got mad i got hungry

umm its funny its easy to read umm that is all
Age 11+
5


Posted on 03/06/07 by froggyeyes53 Adult contributor

(A must-read book for every 11-14 year old.)

Every one from th age 11-14 and even parents should read the book...It gives a good lesson on life for all ages...
Age 17+
0


Posted on 08/03/06 by jpjennison Adult contributor

Age 13+
4

Posted on 06/19/06 by Anonymous Adult contributor

See all 7 adult reviews>

Kids Reviews

There are 28 reviews.

5


Posted on 07/05/08 by itsssaruhh Kid contributor, age 13

haa better than mean girls =]

this book was like taking reading to a whole new level. after i read ttyl, i gave it to my friend and she loved it. soo we went out and bought ttfn, which was totally worth it. keep the series comin' ;).
5


Posted on 06/22/08 by ilovesilver Kid contributor, age 12

sounds really good

im readding ttyl and its awesome so this one should be better
4


Posted on 05/28/08 by booklovr89 Kid contributor, age 11

A fantsastic read!!

even though i am only 11 years of age i still L-O-V-E-D this book!! This book may have some words or saying in it not approtie for my age. I would recomend this book for girls 13-16. This book I think didnt need every curse that was in there but it did make it a bit more realistic cuz every girl isnt perfect and then somtimes curse and show off a little around their friends! over all i think this book is fabulous and every gurl who thinks is apporiate for her shoudl read it !! <3
4


Posted on 05/22/08 by PrincessPixie101 Kid contributor, age 10

Good Book, but not for kids

I loved ttfn! It was a great, realistic book, but you should know that I am super mature for my age, and that this book is NOT appropriate for kids under 13,14 or 15 years old.In this book, kids drink underage (and the kids and their parents think it's no big deal),one girl runs away from home without her parents knowing, one girl starts buying illegal pot and smokes it without her parents knowing because of peer pressure(but she stops in the end and a message comes across that you should never smoke),there's also lots of sex talk plus multiple uses of language such as the f-word and much more. This book is really meant for teens, so don't let your kids read it.
5


Posted on 05/18/08 by bookworm10 Kid contributor, age 11

this book

is the best. it teaches children everything i would not want to teach them about!I can not imgine talking to my child about oral sex and masturbation so nice book can help!
3


Posted on 04/17/08 by readritelrn Kid contributor, age 13

Want 2 read it!!!!!!!

I havent read this book yet but i am dying to read i t i mean i have heard some bad things but it sounds sooooooooo good!!!!!!!!!!!
5


Posted on 03/11/08 by strict critic Kid contributor, age 13

WOOOOOOOOOOOW!

Even though I have not read this book i have read the first one ttyl. If you thought ttfn was inappropriate you should read this: a teacher has SEXUAL intrest in a STUDENT, KIDS us fake I.D.s to get into a bar, and a whole bunch of other stuff! You should read this. I think this is an appropriate book cause if your child has not read this they should! It will help them learn the secrets about the SEXUAL world! I am a teenager and my mom has never told me about the SEXUAL world. I learned from all of my friends and ttyl helped me understand all of the stuff they talk about. THIS BOOK IS HELPFUUUULLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
3


Posted on 02/19/08 by Bri4christ1 Kid contributor, age 11

not that bad

I read this book and im 11 years old i dont really find anything wrong with this book.if adults think that this book is bad you should think about what kids learn from the internet and boys from middle school.You cant avoid it even if your innocent.
0


Posted on 02/15/08 by adramaqueen10 Kid contributor, age 10

BAD

curse words bad behavior horrible content
4


Posted on 12/30/07 by Cocomama0127 Kid contributor, age 14

Teenage girls would love it, but be carfull of the sexual and language con.

This book was really great in my opinion. I thought the sexual content was a little inapproiate (especially the convo about masturbating, it was kind of unnessesary) and the language was VERY UNNEEDED!!!! But all in all it was a really great book! I loved it. Although i did feel a little...awkard about the whole, "Maddie doing Pot" thing. That was very...awkward, and at least it teaches teenagers not to do it, becuase of the risks! So, all-in-all i LOVED TTFN, and i thought it was really great! Hope other teenage girls (and yes, even some guys) enjoy(ed) it as much as i did/do!
See all 28 kids reviews >
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