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Parents' Guide to

Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl

By Julie A. Carlson, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Intriguing tale of NYC teen guitarist turned werewolf.

Book Emily Pohl-Weary Fantasy 2013
Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

Guitarist in a well-known New York City rock band, 18-year-old Sam Lee is biking home one night when something bites her. She thinks it's a wild dog. But strange things start happening: A loner and a vegetarian, she suddenly craves lots of meat and becomes more argumentative. A mysterious guy named Marlon approaches her and explains that she's now a werewolf like him, but, being NOT YOUR ORDINARY WOLF GIRL, she just wants to be her normal human self. Then the fur sprouts, and Sam meets Marlon's wolf pack. Struggling to keep things normal with her human friends and family, she's hard-pressed to hold her life -- and her band -- together.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say Not yet rated
Kids say (1 ):

Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl is a fun story with interesting characters. Readers will root for Sam, who would definitely rather be a typical teen, as she comes to grips with her new reality. Although the story moves along quickly, almost half the book is spent building up to Sam's werewolf transformation. The frequent arguments along the way drag the story down. A cliffhanger ending leaves readers in suspense about what's next for Sam and her pack.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about werewolf stories. Why have they held such appeal for centuries?

  • How does Not Your Ordinary Wolf Girl compare with other paranormal stories you've read, especially about werewolves?

  • Why do you think Sam doesn't seek medical help after she's bitten by the dog? Would you have acted differently?

Book Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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