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Parents' Guide to

Sweethearts

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Mature love story about teens with dark pasts.

Book Sara Zarr Coming of Age 2008
Sweethearts Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 2 parent reviews

EmmaLouO
EmmaLouO Adult
April 28, 2011
age 14+

Growing Up Sheltered

I love this book. I first read it when I was 14 and I found that I couldn't put the book down. Jenna is a role model. She faces her troubles head on and she takes responsibility for her actions. That's more than anyone can say for a lot of the "role models" America's children have today. I see that people have issues with the message, as Jenna regains her unhealthy habits, however, they aren't the message. The message is that you can overcome those things, all you need is yourself. More violence can be found on news stations than what was in this book, as well as the drinking and language. People who are concerned about the kissing, watch the television shows your teenager watches. I dare you to find less sexual references in that show than there is in the entire book. Teenagers can handle way more than parents think. Sweethearts shows that there are always choices to be made, and only we can make the right ones.
Mari13
Mari13 Parent of 17-year-old
March 29, 2010
age 16+

Perfect for older kids

i loved it was an amazing book.
See all 2 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Jenna Vaughn used to be named Jennifer Harris. She was fat, dirty, and often home alone. At school, she -- and her only friend Cameron -- used to get picked on by their school's mean kids. After Cameron moves away (and, according to the kids at school, dies in an accident), she decides to transform into someone new: a pretty, skinny, happy girl whom everyone likes. But will Jenna be able to keep her unhappy past from resurfacing when years later Cameron moves back to town?

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say (2 ):
Kids say (12 ):

This is a dark book. Even readers drawn to the carefully crafted story here may be overwhelmed by the mature problems Jenna and Cameron deal with here. Between them they face bullies, homelessness, abuse, shoplifting, binge eating, and more -- Jenna even grows up believing Cameron is dead. The several flashbacks to that fateful day when Cameron's abusive father tries to get the kids to play a sex game is likewise both well drawn and creepy.

Jenna's ability to start dealing with the past -- and become the person she wants to be -- is heroic. And it's convincing, too, thanks to a realistically imperfect cast of secondary characters, especially Jenna's mother. In the end, this is a book for mature readers only, but those who are ready will be moved by this story of Jenna and Cameron's intense attachment. And they will appreciate that Jenna not only accepts herself for who she truly is, but learns to see the strengths she has had all along.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about reinvention. Can you think of other books and movies in which a character goes from nerdy to popular (think even as far back as Cinderella)? Why are we fascinated with this idea in our culture? How do these stories usually end? How is Jenna a different sort of ugly duckling?

Book Details

Did we miss something on diversity?

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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