Parents' Guide to

Lush

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Heartfelt look at drinking's impact on families.

Book Natasha Friend Coming of Age 2006
Lush Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 13+

Based on 3 parent reviews

Complementing Critic
Complementing Critic Parent of 6, 10, 12 and 12-year-old
April 8, 2012
age 11+

Good read.

Something teens and mature tweens should read.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
CommonSenseParent
CommonSenseParent Parent
December 13, 2010
age 11+

Perfect read for age 11 (6th grade) and up

Lush is a touching novel about a teenage girl who struggles with an alcoholic father. There is nothing sinful or explicit in this novel, and if you are at least eleven and in middle school, this is age appropiate.

This title has:

Educational value
Great messages
Great role models
See all 3 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Samantha's father is an alcoholic and her mother is in denial. Sam doesn't want her friends to know what's happening in her house, so she starts leaving notes for a stranger in the library -- and getting answers. Problems escalate at home and at school, making her mysterious adviser finally reveal himself.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (3 ):
Kids say (29 ):

It should be apparent from the title: LUSH deals with alcoholism; as such, it is a pretty typical problem novel with a pretty standard story arc. Readers won't be surprised when Sam's father finally hits rock bottom (though his violent attack on her sweet young brother seems over the top). Nor will they be shocked when her family finally begins to heal at the end of the book.

Author Natasha Friend employs a clever device in the letters that Sam exchanges with a mysterious stranger in the library -- though readers may wish it were flushed out a bit more. Friend also creates tender exchanges between Sam and her parents, and her brother. In the end, Friend treads familiar territory here, but her honest depictions of a struggling family may help readers (and their parents) delve into a touchy topic.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about "problem novels" like this one that deal with a tough subject. How are books like this helpful for teens? Why would the author choose to include a list of resources in the back of her book?

  • Did you know that the more alcohol ads young people see, the more they drink? According to one 2006 study, each additional dollar alcohol companies spend on advertising raises the number of drinks youths consume by 3 percent. If you were in charge, would you place any restrictions on alcohol advertisers -- or on other kinds of media targeting teens?

Book Details

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