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Something Like Fate
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that there's not much to worry about in this book. Some instances of angry shouting among teens and some mean behavoir: a gay character's locker is spray painted with the word "homo," and a girl is called a slut, for example. Mostly though, this a quick and easy read dealing with the issues that come up when two friends like the same boy. Lani is mature and thoughtful in how she handles the fact that her soul mate, Jason, is dating her best friend, Erin. Though the situations gets a bit messy, Lani, Jason, and Erin eventually work it out in a believable way. Even younger teens and tweens will relate to the characters.
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plot/storyline unoriginal and overused
not what i was expecting but wonderful
What's the story?
Erin and Lani have been best friends for years, but when Lani meets Erin's new boyfriend, she can't deny that there's a connection. In fact, Lani feels that there's more than a connection. A big believer in fate, Lani thinks that Jason is her soul mate. Lani tries to distance herself from Jason, but it seems impossible. Jason feels the connection, too, and breaks up with Erin in order to date Lani. They keep their relationship a secret while Erin's away at summer camp, but when they finally reveal the truth to her, Erin isn't happy.
Is it any good?
SOMETHING LIKE FATE is a fun, light read for teens. Readers will be drawn in by the compelling premise: Lani truly believes in fate, and she can't ignore her feeling that she and Jason are meant to be together. But she feels just as strongly about her relationship with Erin, and she doesn't want to damage it.
But this is more than than a typical love triangle story. Readers will find Lani an authentic character with an honest voice. She's a mature and compassionate character, and readers will believe that she's truly tortured by the impossible choice she must make between love and friendship. The tension this creates is believable, and through the highs and extremely low lows of the situation, Lani's wisdom and maturity shine through.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about romance stories. What are some of your favorite romantic books and movies? What's so appealing about them? Do you care that you can usually predict the endings?
This book is about a love triangle -- which is a popular idea in romantic books and movies. Do you think it happens a lot in real life? How come? What would you do if you were in Lani's situation?
Erin edits and forwards a private email Lani sent to her. Is this something that you could see really happening? How can you protect yourself from having something like that happen to you? Check out Common Sense Media's Internet Safety Guide for some advice.
Book details
- Author: Susane Colasanti
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Viking
- Publication date: May 4, 2010
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 17
- Number of pages: 288
For kids who love romance
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.