Permanent Record
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Solid coming-of-ager shows lure of celebrity, social media.
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What's the Story?
PERMANENT RECORD tells of Pablo, who dropped out of New York University during his freshman year because it was too overwhelming for him. Since then he's been working in a gourmet convenience store in Manhattan while trying to eke out a living on his own, independent of his parents. With rent past due, mountains of student-loan debt, and an ever-growing credit card balance, Pablo's not doing a very good job of keeping it together. Adding to all that a strained relationship with his mother, a brother who's in danger of being suspended from middle school, and no idea of what he wants to do with his life makes a pretty good recipe for disaster. Until the girl of his dreams walks into the store in the wee small hours of the night. She and Pablo instantly bond over their love of snack food. And, oh yeah, she also happens to be one of the world's hottest musical acts right now. Will Pablo let himself be whisked away into her world of limos, private jets, and luxury hotels?
Is It Any Good?
Mary H.K. Choi's second novel is a solid coming-of-ager that teens will relate to even as they're entertained by a peek inside the fabulous celebrity lifestyle. Pablo wants to be independent and make his own decisions, but he can't make up his mind. He wants to pursue his dreams but doesn't know what he wants to do with his life. And right in the teen wheelhouse is the characters' use of social media, how if affects their relationships and the way they see themselves and their potential, and what becomes part of your Permanent Record.
Pablo's voice is believable, and the colorful cast of sometimes-quirky characters add emotional depth. His growing relationship with celebrity A-lister Lee adds a nice dash of romance that's refreshingly believable but not graphic.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the strong language in Permanent Record. Is it realistic? How much is too much in books, movies, games, etc.?
What are Pablo's character strengths and weaknesses? How does he change over the course of the story?
Many of us have dreamed of life as a rich and famous celebrity, but would it really solve all your problems? How would Lee and Pablo answer that question? Do you think the depiction here is realistic?
Book Details
- Author: Mary H. K. Choi
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters , Friendship
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
- Publication date: September 3, 2019
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 432
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: September 16, 2019
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