Parents' Guide to

Rx

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Heavy look at prescription drug abuse for teens.

Book Tracy Lynn Coming of Age 2006
Rx Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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age 14+

Based on 4 parent reviews

CocoLaFille
CocoLaFille Parent of 14-year-old
June 13, 2010
age 14+

Great book , teaches the harshness of drugs

The book has a great story line and a lot of interesting twists. There is some inapproraite parts though including a complicated teen pregnancy, drug abuse and drinking. There is no details on any of those things though. I woudl recommend the book to teens so that they can see what is really out there and how it can impair you and ruin your life. Unfortunately the book does not have a happy ending but that is actually good thing in teaching the lesson to teens. HIghly recommended.

This title has:

Educational value
live.love.elise
live.love.elise Adult
December 6, 2009
age 14+

An honest book with an important message

This book was a great portrail of perscription drugs in high school. One reason I loved it so much was because it was honest and didn't pretend to be something it wasn't. Yes there was language some parents wouldn't approve of but its the same language you hear every day at a public high school. Rx was all around a good read, it was intertaining and had a good message. Parents: Don't consider this a book that will give your children ideas about doing drugs, while the language and story line aren't necessarly something you would enjoy, it is understood by teens and teaches a valuable lesson. I loved this book and hope others will read it too.

This title has:

Too much swearing
Too much drinking/drugs/smoking
Educational value
See all 4 parent reviews

What's the Story?

An overachieving high school student decides she has ADHD and starts taking Ritalin (stolen from a friend). Soon she's hooked, diagnosing her peers so she can deal to them -- and keep supporting her habit. Teens will never forget that this book has a message: to educate kids -- and parents -- about the dangers of prescription drugs. Narrator Thyme not only details her own addiction, but also documents the drugs' prevalence by including bits of drug talk heard in the halls of her high school and by weaving facts about the drugs into her story. Her mom even trades Xanax with her co-workers.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (4):
Kids say (9):

This is a dramatic story -- Thyme deals with withdrawal, having her stash stolen (and found by police), and even a teen client's suicide. But it's a timely book, too. The author is definitely didactic, but she connects the dots well, showing how the pressure to succeed combines so dangerously with the prevalence of pills, prescriptions, and self-diagnosis, creating a serious culture of dependency for both teens and parents. Parents are encouraged to read along -- and discuss -- this book with their teens.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the book's relevance. Do they have friends -- or classmates -- who use prescription drugs, legally or illegally? What have they heard about "study drugs" like Ritalin and Adderall?

  • This book shows both kids and parents taking lots of prescription drugs; are we too drug-dependent as a society? Do TV ads that promise dramatic weight loss or the end of depression have an impact on our culture's drug use?

Book Details

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