The DUFF

Title:  The DUFF
Author: Kody Keplinger
Publisher: Poppy
Number of Pages:  304
Advertised Age Level: Grades 9-12

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  17/12th grade

Language:  profanity, use of the “F” word
Sex: main character has a semi-graphic sexual relationship, discussions of birth control and STDs
Drug/Alcohol Use:  characters attend parties with drinking, alcoholic father returns to drinking
Violence: none
Social Issues:  divorce, alcoholism, teen sexuality, self-esteem
Suggested Movie Grade:  R

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian

Title:  The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian
Author: Sherman Alexie
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages:  288
Advertised Age Level: Ages 12 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  14/9th grade

Language:  profanity, use of the “F” word
Sex: main character discusses masturbation and physical affects of attraction
Drug/Alcohol Use:  alcohol use pervasive in characters surrounding main character, alcoholism a major theme
Violence: child abuse, bullying violence, murder – not graphically described
Social Issues:  dysfunctional family, alcoholism, prejudice, poverty, bullying, oppression of Native Americans, death of family members, self-esteem, child abuse
Suggested Movie Grade:  PG-13

What Happened to Goodbye

Title:  What Happened to Goodbye
Author: Sarah Dessen
Publisher: Viking Juvenile
Number of Pages:  402 (hardcover)
Advertised Age Level: Ages 12 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  16/11th grade

Language:  none
Sex: none
Drug/Alcohol Use:  main character attends a party with drinking but does not drink herself
Violence: none
Social Issues:  divorce, parent cheats on other parent, identity issues
Suggested Movie Grade:  PG

Knights of the Hill Country

Title:  Knights of the Hill Country
Author: Tim Tharp
Publisher: Laurel Leaf
Number of Pages:  233
Advertised Age Level: Ages 12 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  17/12th grade

Language:  very small amount of mild profanity
Sex: kissing
Drug/Alcohol Use:  one main character drinks and gets drunk although the protagonist does not
Violence: fighting, one character points a gun at another boy
Social Issues:  absentee father, troubled teen, friendship and loyalty, peer pressure, self-esteem
Suggested Movie Grade:  PG

The Summer I Turned Pretty

Title:  The Summer I Turned Pretty
Author: Jenny Han
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Number of Pages:  304
Advertised Age Level: Ages 12 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  15

Language:  very mild and limited profanity
Sex: kissing
Drug/Alcohol Use:  some underage characters drink beer
Violence: none
Social Issues:  unrequited love, first love, cancer
Suggested Movie Grade:  PG

A Certain Slant of Light

Title:  A Certain Slant of Light
Author: Laura Whitcomb
Publisher: Graphia
Number of Pages:  282
Advertised Age Level: Ages 12 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  unknown

Language:  profanity, use of the “F” word
Sex: main characters consummate their relationship with limited description
Drug/Alcohol Use:  one character has a history of drug abuse
Violence: domestic violence, frightening episode caused by natural disaster
Social Issues:  dysfunctional family, suicide, drug abuse, misunderstanding involving an inappropriate relationship with a teacher
Suggested Movie Grade:  PG-13

Battle Dress

Title:  Battle Dress
Author: Amy Efaw
Publisher: Speak
Number of Pages:  304
Advertised Age Level: Ages 12 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  17

Language:  one occasion of very mild profanity, a lot of name-calling and verbal abuse directed at the new cadets
Sex: none
Drug/Alcohol Use:  none
Violence: none
Social Issues:  dysfunctional family with abusive parents, rigors of military training
Suggested Movie Grade:  PG

Bumped

Title:  Bumped
Author: Megan MCCafferty
Publisher: Balzer + Bray
Number of Pages:  323 (hardcover)
Advertised Age Level: Ages 14 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  16

Language:  no profanity
Sex: pervasive but never graphically described – procreation and pregnancy are the main themes of the story
Drug/Alcohol Use:  futuristic drugs are used to encourage sexual promiscuity and to eliminate maternal attachment to newborns so that the babies can be easily taken away from their birth mothers
Violence: none
Social Issues:  dystopia, teen sex, teen pregnancy, birth control, surrogacy, payment for babies, suicide
Suggested Movie Grade:  R

The Princess Diaries

Title:  The Princess Diaries
Author: Meg Cabot
Publisher: HarperTeen
Number of Pages:  varies based on format
Advertised Age Level: Ages 13 and up

Age and Grade of Main Character(s):  14/9th grade

Language:  no profanity
Sex: kissing
Drug/Alcohol Use:  main character is invited to a party where drinking will take place
Violence: none
Social Issues:  fitting in at school, single parent dating, fighting with best friend, mean girls, judging other people
Suggested Movie Grade:  PG