Are these books appropriate for 14 year olds?

White Oleander


Paint it Black


Kicks


- Janet Fitch


She's Come Undone


I know This Much Is True


- Wally Lamb





Thanks :)

Are these books appropriate for 14 year olds?
Wally Lamb's books are very well written ... they are both kind of depressing though. Maybe you might want something more appropriate and upbeat. Have you read The Earth My Butt and Other Big Round Things? A very good book for 14 yr olds. Won a lot of awards. I thought it was great. Pax - C
Reply:I've read both Wally Lambs and they would be okay for a mature 14 year old. "I know this much is true" can get long and arduous though, especially the section where he is reading his grandfather's book (most of which probably didn't need to be in the book anyway). So the average 14 year old might get bored easily. "She's Come Undone" was amazing and I think okay for teens...they might need some help understanding the whale symbolism at the end though. Of the Fitch books you've listed, I only read White Oleander. I didn't feel it had any substance and I wouldn't recommend it.
Reply:At 14 a kid is pretty much mature enough for any book they canread.
Reply:The only one I've read is She's Come Undone. I really don't know if it's okay for a 14 year old. The character is very depressed and tries repeatedly to commit suicide, is raped, and there are some sex and drug scenes.
Reply:The only one I know in that group is White Oleander, and I don't think its appropriate unless the child is a very experienced reader. Otherwise its a very good book.

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