Common Sense Media Review
By Kate Pavao
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Same bad-girl 'tude in Gossip Girl spinoff.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 15+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 2 parent reviews
Based on 20 kid reviews
Kids say the book is a mixed bag, receiving both praise for its engaging drama and criticism for its mature content, including themes of sex, drugs, and relationships with authority figures, which some argue are inappropriate for younger readers. Many teens found it entertaining and relatable, while others deemed it boring or not particularly creative when compared to similar series, with frequent mentions of the need for maturity in its audience.
- mixed reviews
- teen drama
- inappropriate content
- need for maturity
- engaging story
- relatable themes
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
Jenny Humphrey is back and she's going to boarding school. When this character from the Gossip Girl series heads to an exclusive co-ed institution in upstate New York, she immediately lands both in the room of the school's most popular pair -- and in a world of trouble. Rumors follow her, and when she gets trapped in a late-night scandal, she could be expelled. Meanwhile her roommates have their own struggles: Callie tries to navigate her troubled relationship, and Brett gets involved with a young, rich faculty member. And of course there's the requisite flirting, bribing, partying, and pranking rounding this novel out.
Is It Any Good?
Say what you will about the Gossip Girl books: They're pretty trashy, but at least they're fun. This first installment of a spin-off series recycles the same material, only it's set in a new location, and -- believe it or not -- lacks the depth.
Some teens may get sucked in by the labels, the parties, the romance -- including the disturbing romance between Brett and the Disciplinary Committee advisor (he whisks her away to his family's mansion -- in an airplane! -- serves her wine and asks her to tell him all about herself). But this book doesn't have much to offer.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about why the publisher created a spin-off series. What does it mean that the book was created by Cecily von Ziegesar -- not written by her? They also may want to talk to their kids about the number of brand names mentioned here. The cover model's clothes are even advertised on the inside flap. Are you supposed to envy these rich kids enough to want to be like them -- even dress like them?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Little, Brown and Company
- Publication date : January 6, 2006
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 15 - 15
- Number of pages : 272
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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