Parents' Guide to

Second Helpings

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Readers will devour fun, surprisingly rich sequel.

Book Megan McCafferty Coming of Age 2003
Second Helpings Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 14+

Based on 2 parent reviews

abarber09
abarber09 Adult
March 17, 2009
age 15+

Very Relateable

As a senior in high school, it seems like I know just what Jessica Darling is going through. Her self esteem, love, and friend issues are bigger than just the book. They happen in real life and I, as well as many high school kids, can relate to Jessica's struggles.
jess7756
jess7756 Adult
February 4, 2009
age 12+

this book is awesome!!!!!!!

this book is an awesome book... it basically tells life as it is... theres nothing irrelevant in this book that a teen shouldnt know... it is pretty much a part of life that almost every girl goes through... and boys as well... i recommend this book to anybody that is mature enough to understand what life is all about in the real world... in the eyes of a girl...
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

After a summer writing camp, Jessica Darling returns to her high school with a new goal: to free herself from her New Jersey suburb and attend college at New York City's Columbia University. But first she has to survive a senior year seeing Marcus, her ex-love, fake popular girls, and a surprising breakup. She's also censored by the school administration for a controversial editorial, and must face the release of a fictional book written by an undercover student and based on her school (including a character very much like her). The events of Sept. 11, 2001, and parental pressure even threaten her big-city dream. Will Jessica be brave enough to go after what she wants?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2):
Kids say (3):

Readers who didn't catch Jessica Darling in her debut (Sloppy Firsts) may have trouble catching up here, but they still will find this book a fast, fun read. It also imparts an important message about listening "to your inner voice when it speaks up." It's easy to relate to funny, smart Jessica, whose list and emails to her best friend pack personality into her senior year confessional. Readers may not believe her '80s fascination, but they will enjoy her self-deprecation, and her smart insights about high school life and growing up. Other characters, while often stereotypical (the jerky jock, the shallow popular girls), add humor and prove what "an outsider among the insiders" she truly is.

The plotting is straightforward, and careful readers should be able to guess what happen to star-crossed Jessica and Marcus, where she will go to school -- and even who is writing the snarky gossip column. But readers will still enjoy cheering her on along the way.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the sexual attitudes presented, and how they match up with your teen's point of view. Does it seem like a rare thing to be a virgin while a senior in high school, as Jessica is? She discusses the pros and cons of abstinence-only education with other classmates. What's your opinion?

Book Details

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Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

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