Parents' Guide to

Lost It

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Comical coming-of-age with teen sex, MIA parents.

Book Kristen Tracy Coming of Age 2007
Lost It 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 3 parent reviews

LibraryMom
LibraryMom Adult
April 5, 2014
age 17+

Not for my kids

Contains explicit sex scene

This title has:

Too much sex
vbutler9
vbutler9 Adult
July 7, 2010
age 14+
It was a very acceptable book when I read it at age 14. It has just enough detail to keep you hooked but not enough to be offended. I suggest that you let girls read it because it is easier to learn things from books instead of having a conversation with your parents.
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Tess Whistle is having a rough year. Her parents get some insane idea about joining a survival camp in Utah and leave her with her grandmother, plus her best friend builds a bomb and obsesses about blowing up a poodle. When a new boy shows up at school she falls for him instantly and hopes he can block out all the craziness in her life. Maybe, maybe not.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (5 ):

LOST IT is a pretty darn funny coming-of-age book that takes us through a complicated time in quirky teen Tess Whistle's life. In a twist, while Tess is exploring more grown-up relationships and sex, parents in the book are off experiencing a second adolescence. No meddling parents are shocked with Tess' explorations, and it's her grandmother who gives her a book on sexuality. It takes a pretty dangerous situation to get parents to take notice again.

The book is clear on what happens to girls like Tess without parenting -- they become dependent on their boyfriends for support, often too dependent. Still Tess' mistakes and her ability to cope offer positive lessons for mature teen readers.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about healthy relationships, sex education, and ways to cope with negative issues. Would Tess have made the same decisions if she had had access to sex education? How did Tess' worries about her family and friends hurt her relationship with Ben?

Book Details

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