Parents' Guide to

Perfect

By Pam Gelman, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Poignant read perfect for mom-teen girl book club.

Perfect Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 12+

Based on 3 parent reviews

age 12+

Entertaining and Emotional Story for Some; Bulimia How-To for Others

Proceed with caution. Tweens and teens may be able to relate to Isabelle's feelings about her father, the family dynamic, or Isabelle's tumultuous friendship with Ashley. However, the descriptions of binging and purging are graphic and could be used as a "how-to" for some. I would recommend viewing the documentary "Someday Melissa" along with this book and discussing the effects of bulimia.
age 10+

Hot Book

This book is the best that i have read in my 11 years of living!!!!!!!!!! I am serious

Is It Any Good?

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

In PERFECT, Natasha Friend has created a character who will make readers cry and cheer as she struggles and then slowly faces her problems. These problems reflect her mother's inability to accept the father's death, her sister's desperate need to talk about him, a new relationship with the most popular girl at school, and most of all, her own sadness she's repressing in damaging ways. Readers may not have the same problems as Isabelle, but watching her ability to face them and move on will be inspiring.

With its realistic dialogue, difficult moments of self-discovery, and harsh critique of relationships, Perfect is a very quick yet unforgettable read. The graphic nature of this book may make it hard for some young teens to read alone. However, it's an excellent choice for a mother-teen daughter book club.

Book Details

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