Common Sense Media Review
By Terreece Clarke
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Honest, engaging tale of teen sexuality and friendship.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
ODD ONE OUT is about three friends, three perspectives, one big mess. Courtney, also known as Coop, is a star basketball player with a lot going for him, including a great best friend, Jupiter Charity-Sanchez. His biggest problem is that he's been in love with her since they were little kids, and she has liked only girls for as long as he's known her. Now, instead of it being Jupe and Coop, it's Coop and some new girl named Rae. He knew it would happen some day, but he never expected anything like this. Will Jupe and Coop survive, especially when it becomes a little clear that Rae likes them both?
Is It Any Good?
Wonderfully written, funny, and real, this story is a powerful, tender, and timely look into the lives of modern American teens grappling with typical teen problems (crushes, school, fitting in). Odd One Out soars by moving beyond tired, love-triangle tropes as it examines what it means to confront the shifting labels of straight, bisexual, or gay that teens assign themselves and one another. This book covers topics of consent, respect, LGBTQ issues, acceptance, and friendship. The characters are thoughtfully developed and so relatable that readers can't help but laugh, cry, and hide in embarrassment alongside them. Odd One Out fills a hole in YA fiction and provides a wonderful way to launch discussion into themes many adults find difficult to tackle.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the role of consent in Odd One Out. How does its treatment here mirror or differ from discussions about consent found in the media? How does it mirror or differ from your discussions and interactions at school?
How comfortable are you with having discussions about serious sex and sex health issues with your family? Friends? What about other trusted adults? What is your source for information about sex?
There's a variety of different types of families represented in Odd One Out. How has the definition of family changed? Do you know anyone being raised by two moms or two dads? What makes a family work?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Friendship , School ( High School )
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Crown Books for Young Readers
- Publication date : October 9, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 14 - 18
- Number of pages : 320
- Available on : Paperback, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Last updated : September 30, 2025
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