Parents' Guide to

Pretty Little Liars, Book 1

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

First book in cliquey girls' series shows off bad behavior.

Pretty Little Liars, Book 1 Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

age 13+

Based on 38 parent reviews

age 16+
age 13+

Love it!

Pretty Little Liars is a fictional book about five beautiful teenage girls... and one day, queen B Allison disappears... when the girls start getting threatening text messages from mysterious "A", it's up to them to decide who is behind this... but "A" doesn't want them digging for answers, and soon, it begins to seem like it's a matter of life and death. I loved this series. I thought it was developed and well-written. As for the age rating, however.... It's easy to tell this is a mature book just by hearing the basics about each character: Hanna Marin, the beautiful girl with the acting disorder, who steals jewelry even though she's rich. Emily Fields, who's in love with another girl - and her parents don't know. Spencer, who's dating her sister's fiancé, Wren. Aria, who's dating her English teacher, Ezra. There's a ton of language. There's a lot of romance. There's lots of underage drinking. There's some violence, but not too much. But in all, it's an amazing book and you should read it!

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (38):
Kids say (160):

This is pure guilty pleasure that's hugely popular with teens: The average rating among nearly 100 of Common Sense Media's young readers is 5 out of 5 stars.

PRETTY LITTLE LIARS is the launch of yet another series about pretty, privileged girls who do all sorts of naughty things. This book has a mystery at its heart -- a former friend disappeared one night before the start of eighth grade. Ali's disappearance gives readers something to guess about in between the protagonists' student-teacher sex scandals and bouts of bulimia.

Inspired parents can use this story to get kids thinking about why books about rich, popular female frenemies have struck such a chord with readers.

Book Details

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