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Parents' Guide to

Uses for Boys

By Kate Pavao, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 14+

Poetic, mature coming-of-age story includes rape, abortion.

Book Erica Lorraine Scheidt Coming of Age 2013
Uses for Boys 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?

Lonely Anna's mom leaves her money on the counter and comes in after her young daughter is already in bed. Anna knows her mother is searching for a man to take care of her and, following the same pattern, begins to move from relationship to relationship, becoming sexually active as a young teen. She even moves in with a boy she meets smoking pot in a park, and soon after becomes pregnant. Anna must make a choice: Will her life just be her mother's all over again -- or will she decide to live a different life on her own terms?

Is It Any Good?

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

This is a poetic book that will be a big hit with fans of coming-of-age classic House on Mango Street and other lyrical stories. Like Mango Street, this book's easy-to-read vignettes are full of significant details that are both memorable and deeper than they first appear. Anna doesn't hold back on the gritty details, but brave adults can use her story to spark some great discussions about teen sexuality -- including the emotional reasons why teens have sex, how girls and boys are often treated differently when it comes to sex, and even how teen romantic relationships are depicted in the media vs. how they are in real life.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the book's title. How does Anna use boys -- and how do they in turn use her?

  • Anna is called a "slut" by girls at school, and boys make vulgar gestures at her. Does this seem like something that might happen at your school? How are the expectations of girls and boys different when it comes to sex? Is this changing at all?

  • How is Anna's perspective different by the end of Uses for Boys?

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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