I can't believe Common Sense Media gives "That Was Then, This Is Now" an "on"!! This book deals with very mature subject matter. For one thing, the whole story revolves around drugs. The characters use drugs and discussion of drugs is used. This is required 8th grade reading, but parents need to be strongly cautioned with the graphic drug use in this book, along with some violence, racial language, and some sexual references. Just as a little note, the movie ("That Was Then...This Is Now") is rated R, which is why it can't be shown in middle/high schools.