Book Review: The It Girl
Rated by 1 member
What Parents Should Know
Parents should know that this spinoff of the
Gossip Girl series has many of the same controversial
elements as her first series. Characters are materialistic and
manipulative, and they drink, smoke pot, swear, and engage in
some sexual acts (there's even a relationship between a student
and a teacher).
Families who read this book may want to talk to their kids 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?
Common Sense Media Review
Say what you will about the
Gossip Girl books: they are pretty trashy, but at least
they are funny, and they seemed fresh, at least at the start.
In contrast, this first installment of a new spinoff series
pretty much 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 really this book doesn't have much to offer. It's probably safe to assume that the rest of the series won't either.
Common Sense Media is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing information to help parents make media and entertainment choices for their families.
