Parents' Guide to

Gossip Girl Books

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Addictive high-society fluff with iffy messages.

Book Cecily von Ziegesar Coming of Age 2005
Gossip Girl Books Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 14+

Based on 11 parent reviews

gossipgirl13
gossipgirl13 Parent of 11, 11 and 12-year-old
December 31, 2021
age 14+

For teens and up only!

I can't believe people are saying that it's okay for 8 year olds! I would say 8 is fine for Twilight, but Gossip Girl? No. Do you really want your 8 year old exposed to drugs, smoking, swearing, underage drinking, sex, and everything else? It's not even the content - it's the way it's portrayed. You are basically giving your kid a book that says, drugs are fine, underage drinking is fine, everything's fine - just look good and don't make a scene. If that's not glamorizing teenage life, I don't know what is. Unlike Pretty Little Liars, another teen series like this, no one gets punished. At all. The reason I gave this 4/5 stars is because of one word: entertainment. It's fun to read about the life of the rich and powerful. You should read it, just make sure you know all the content first...
Alybelle
Alybelle Adult
September 9, 2020
age 9+
I think kids over nine should know about this stuff already, my daughter loves this show so much
See all 11 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Manhattan's young, rich, and beautiful throw parties, fall in love, and stress about getting into Ivy League colleges -- all while wearing designer clothes. Their comings and goings are recorded by a secret spy within their fold on GossipGirl.net. The 13 books in the series follow mean-girl Blair, earthy Serena, stoner Nate, edgy Dan and Vanessa, cute Jenny (and others in their circle). Beyond fancy vacations and charity events, they get glam in other ways: Serena models for a hot designer and Dan publishes a poem in The New Yorker. And then there are the inevitable romances: Nate and Blair. Dan and Serena. Nate and Jenny. Dan and Vanessa. You get the picture.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (11):
Kids say (39):

This is really superficial stuff, but it's no wonder it's such a hit; these rich kids' designer lives are the stuff we've all fantasized about. It's just as easy to relish the high moments (Serena hooks up with a rock star; Dan and Vanessa finally get it on) as it is the disasters (Blair dates her Yale interviewer, only to find out he's the married father of one of her classmates; Nate gets busted trying to buy pot in Central Park). While none of the characters are particularly noble, it's fun watching them throw fabulous benefits (complete with Kate Spade gift bags!) or jet off to a tropical island for the holidays.

The author expertly weaves their various storylines together for maximum energy. But do your kids -- the ones you trust not to take this world too seriously -- really have to read the whole series? (Probably just one or two will do.) The GossipGirl.net interludes are the perfect device, because they remind sophisticated readers of their place in the whole mess: We are not these characters. We are not their friends. We are simply gawkers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the popularity of the series and why teens seem to find it so appealing. What do books like these do for their readers? Are they simply guilty pleasures, or do they have lessons to teach? How are you supposed to feel about the rich characters -- envy them, hate them, feel sorry for them?

  • Also, how does it compare to the popular television show? If you were a parent, would you be more concerned about the books or the TV show? Both or neither?

Book Details

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