Common Sense Media Review
By Darienne Stewart
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Thoughtful look at teen finding self after parents' divorce.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 12+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
Based on 14 kid reviews
Kids say the book is a mixed bag, with some finding it deeply relatable and filled with heartfelt themes, while others criticize its slow pacing and lack of substantial romance. Many readers appreciate the exploration of personal identity and family dynamics but note that mature themes such as divorce, drinking, and self-discovery may not be suitable for younger audiences.
- relatable characters
- mixed opinions
- slow pacing
- mature themes
- identity exploration
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Mclean and her dad set up house in a new town every few months, rootless and adrift in the wake of her mother's affair with the coach of their favorite basketball team. While her mother starts a new life with a wealthy husband and two babies, Mclean struggles to find her own path. She feels protective of her father, pulled and pushed by her mother, and wary of feeling tied down by anyone as college gets closer and closer. With each move, she adopts a new persona: cheerleader, student organizer, drama kid -- until she arrives in Lakeview, where she finds herself making friends who really matter to her. As Mclean begins to lower her defenses, she starts to rediscover herself.
Is It Any Good?
Older tween readers will appreciate the authentic voice and realistic characters in this rambling but touching story. There's much for them to connect with, including out-of-touch parents distracted by their own drama who leave their daughter to stumble along more or less on her own. This is familiar territory for Sarah Dessen, who again skillfully taps into the emotional life of teens. The characters are both eccentric and familiar, defying easy stereotypes. The storytelling is sometimes convoluted -- Dessen often skips backward and forward in the narrative, drawing unnecessary circles -- but on the whole it's a well-told character study with a strong supporting cast.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about what drew them to this book. Have you read Sarah Dessen's other novels? If so, how does this one compare? Why do you think her work resonates so well with teen audiences?
Also, this book portrays alcohol use by teens as a minor, normal, no-big-deal issue. Do you think that's accurate, and a way of giving the story some authenticity? Is YA media at all responsible for shaping teen behavior?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Viking
- Publication date : May 10, 2011
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 12 - 17
- Number of pages : 402
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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