Parents' Guide to

Fangirl

By Sandie Angulo Chen, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Beautiful coming-of-age story about fandom and first love.

Book Rainbow Rowell Contemporary Fiction 2013
Fangirl Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 6 parent reviews

Sheila P.
Sheila P. Adult
April 30, 2020
age 12+

A Teen's Classic

The book is actually beautiful and many teens could feel related. I was caught up in the story wanting to know what happened next. Some kissing and stuff but nothing serious. I loved the lessons and relationships in the story, not only between couples, but sisters too. A must read!

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Kimqwin
Kimqwin Adult
October 6, 2019
age 15+

FIRST REVIEW!

It's a book about finding yourself. Teenage life can be very confusing and I think this would would help teenagers to navigate through the problems life throws at them

This title has:

Great messages
Great role models
See all 6 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Cath is a freshman in college with a lot of social anxiety and only two things that make her feel completely at home: her outgoing identical twin sister Wren (who chose to live in another dorm) and her love of the fantasy book series Simon Snow (an obvious tribute to Harry Potter). The ultimate FANGIRL, Cath writes popular fanfiction for the Simon Snow fandom. Stuck with Reagan, a surly, opinonated upperclassman roommate with no sense of boundaries, Cath barely leaves her dorm room. Despite her desire to stay away from people, Cath must deal with the near constant presence of Reagan's smiley, friendly, chatty boyfriend, Levi -- who begins to draw her out of her shell, and even more frightening, charm his way into her heart.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (6):
Kids say (59):

Fangirl isn't just a charming love story about people, it's also a love story about fiction and the power of books and fandoms. Rowell, whose first book Attachments was a "chick lit" romantic comedy, burst onto the YA scene early in 2013 with the critically acclaimed misfit romance Eleanor & Park. She's apparently cranking out the quality realistic fiction with her follow-up out a scant eight months later. Fangirl shares a few similarities with E&P: the Nebraska setting, an intelligent, introverted girl who doesn't say much, and a guy who's almost too good to be true.

Every chapter begins with excerpts from not only Cath's fanfiction but also the "canon" of the Potter-like Simon Snow books. If you pay even cursory attention to the book-within-a-book, it's obvious that Simon, Baz, and Gemma T. Leslie are stand-ins for Harry, Draco, and author J.K. Rowling. Through her writing, Cath can express things she can't in real life, where she's extremely reclusive and socially inept. The only person besides Cath's party-girl sister, Wren, who can see the real her is Levi -- the kind of swoon-worthy guy that's sure to become any reader's literary crush. Cath and Levi have a host of issues, but their romance, slow and steady and startlingly real, will make anyone a believer in how books and love go hand in hand.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about how the theme of literacy, writing, and loving books is a big part of the story. How is Cath different from "Magicath"? How does reading aloud to Levi become a romantic, intimate gesture?

  • What did you think of the Simon Snow excerpts? Did you immediately think of Harry Potter? Which did you prefer, the "canon" Simon Snow excerpts or Cath and Wren's fanfics?

  • Would you or have you already written fanfiction? Cath thinks it's original, even if you're "borrowing" characters and settings. Do you agree with her or her creative writing professor, who considers it accepted plagiarism?

  • Do you think Cath's fear of intimacy is believable? What aspects of Cath and Levi's relationship seem authentic? Why should a person be willing to put sex "off the table" for the person they're dating?

Book Details

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