Parents' Guide to

This Song Will Save Your Life

By Mary Cosola, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Edgy story of bullied teen girl driven by music.

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Kids say (4):

THIS SONG WILL SAVE YOUR LIFE has a relatable and engaging protagonist in Elise Dembowski. Her voice as a narrator is funny and honest, but the blithe delivery of her story belies the seriousness of the situations she encounters and the depth of her self-loathing. Author Leila Sales expertly captures the interior monologue of a teen girl, and Elise is well drawn as a bright introvert who has many ideas and feelings but few people to share them with. Her self-pitying, judgmental nature, and poor decisions grate, but perhaps that's the point: Teens can be infuriating. Most of Sales' other characters are one-dimensional.

Although much of the plot is fairly predictable, Sales keeps the story percolating. The book's ultimate message, that if you pursue what you love you'll find happiness, is a good one and is well delivered.

Book Details

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