Parents' Guide to

The Debs

By Terreece Clarke, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Southern Gossip Girl has slightly more depth.

Book Susan McBride Contemporary Fiction 2008
The Debs Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

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

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What's the Story?

Three friends have their pick of designer clothes, but what they really want is to be picked for the coveted Glass Slipper Club. Every debutante in Houston is waiting with baited breath for their invitation. Laura, Michelle, and Ginger not only have to worry about getting their invitations, they worry about the meanest girl in school, Jo-Lynn Bidwell, ruining their chances for debutante heaven. Throw in some family issues and a couple of cute boys and you've got a life full of drama.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

One thing to make clear about DEBS by Susan McBride is that it isn't as vapid or damaging as the Gossip Girl series. The characters have a bit more depth. It is, still, a guilty pleasure full of high-end clothing, debutantes, lots and lots of money, and cute, but confusing boys. As usual with privilege and pretty, there are problems. The girls' struggles with body image and self-acceptance are exacerbated by the perfect deb image they all feel obliged to portray in order to make it into the Glass Slipper Club.

Fashionistas will love the endless clothing parade, and the bright spot that is Laura Bell. She makes some pretty bad decisions throughout the book, but one thing is clear -- at a size 14 she loves herself just the way she is, pushy debutante mom and taunts of "debu-tank" aside.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about wealth. This book takes place in a very wealthy community -- how does wealth affect each of the girls' behavior? Is there a difference between wealth and privilege? Families can also talk about the draw of Gossip Girl-type books. Is it just harmless escapism, or do you think it normalizes bad-girl behavior and materialistic lifestyles?

Book Details

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