Parents' Guide to

Picture Me Gone

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 13+

Missing-man mystery best for sophisticated teen readers.

Book Meg Rosoff Family Life 2013
Picture Me Gone 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 2 parent reviews

advisor.com
advisor.com Parent of 9, 14, 16 and 16-year-old
March 29, 2014
age 12+

Amazing book!

Unfortunately my children have now 'grown out of the bedtime story phase!'and now practically live in their iPhones. However, in the rare occasion my children are looking for a book, I knew Meg Rosoff was the way to go! My 17 year old son loved this book, as did my 15 year old, Riley. Being the mature teenagers that they are, they recommended that Zack, my youngest (ten years of age) did not read it. This was because it featured the words, fuck, shit, bloody and piss. It also featured heavily on the tragic death of a twelve year old in a car collision. Also, it features a young girl smoking, and also references sex a few times. Also, it referenced drinking alcohol and committing suicide. Overall, this book is amazing for mature twelve/thirteen year olds +. Thanks to you and the incredible author Meg Rosoff.

This title has:

Great role models
Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
TheLiberryGuy
TheLiberryGuy Parent
October 23, 2013
age 14+

An enjoyable read.

I read this book for a Young Adult Literature class and I thought it was easy to read, the message was that kids do try to understand their environment even when they do not have a broad worldview. I would recommend it to any child who wants to read this book. It is well written, nonjudgmental, and has elements that DO affect children in real life, but it does not bring out the angst in any of the situations it touches upon.

This title has:

Educational value
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

The day before Mila and her father are supposed to leave London to visit America, her father's lifelong best friend -- whom they're going to see -- goes missing. They travel together anyway, and observant Mila begins to put together clues, like how his unhappy wife seems to be living a separate life, even with a new baby. She discovers an even bigger secret when they drive up to the friend's cabin in snowy upstate New York. Even as Mila puts together the answers to one mystery, she makes other, big discoveries about what it means to be a friend, to be a family, and to grow up.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: (2 ):
Kids say: Not yet rated

The heart of the plot of PICTURE ME GONE is pretty adult; in fact, the book's set more in the the world of adults than that of children. Even so, there are so many rich and wonderful details here that make it a good choice for sophisticated teens. For example, Mila's dad is a translator who says that, to do his job, "It is not necessary to sympathize with the writer, to agree with what he's written...it is necessary to walk alongside and stay in step." This parallels his ability to stand by his friend, even when he doesn't understand his hurtful actions.

The mystery around the missing man's story will keep readers engaged, but it's really Mila, her neat family, and the keen observations about people and life gleaned by the girl who's "good at solving puzzles" that make up the most memorable pieces.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about what it means to be a friend. Do you have to understand or agree with all your friend's choices? What would you do if your friend had a terrible secret?

  • Mila is very critical of America's love of hunting -- and of the big meals that she and her father are served at diners along the way. What do you think about her observation that there is "darkness" everywhere she looks?

  • Picture Me Gone deals with some pretty adult material including adultery, a dead child, and a suicidal adult. What age would you recommend for this book? Or do you agree with Mila that "[a]ge is not always the best measure of competence"?

Book Details

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