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Perfect

(2004, Fiction - Coming of Age, Written by Natasha Friend)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

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    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 13; suggested age 13.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Poignant read perfect for mom-teen girl book club.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 13 and Up

The good stuff

  • Messages:

    Both strong and weak adult role models. Mother figure needs support and is unable to recognize danger signs in teen daughter. An aunt and therapist are able to help the main character and other family members.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence :

    Graphic descriptions of throwing up after bingeing. Experience with Ex-Lax.
  • Sex :

    The main characters talk about body image, specifically about the size of their thighs and their ability to fit a bra.
  • Language:

    Not an issue.
  • Consumerism:

    Not an issue.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Mention of parents drinking gin-and-tonics.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Perfect

Parents need to know that this book is a powerful read -- the depiction of troubled 13-year-old Isabelle Lee will touch a nerve with adolescent girls. Isabelle's bulimia is caused by her mourning for her father. Besides graphic descriptions of bingeing and purging and some experimentation with laxatives, there are painful scenes of Isabelle's observations of her mother and sister, each also desperately mourning in silence.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about the effects of bulimia and laxatives on the body. How does it damage your teeth and digestive system? What are other harmful long-term effects? Parents can also talk about Isabelle's distorted image of her body. How do you think mourning for her father contributed to Isabelle's eating disorder? How did the rest of the family mourn? What kind of support does this family need to move forward? What should you do if you or someone you know shows signs of an eating disorder?
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See all 29 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in Arizona
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 5.0

    i loved it

    I think it is a must read for mature kids 11 and older. Although, it has a few gross scenes, it is very touching. It is about a girl struggling to overcome bulimia.

  2. Teen Reviewer
    Age 13
    Anonymous
    Lives in Connecticut
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    bee movie

    barry B.benson does not want to be an ordinary bee.he doesnt want a life where he has to work himseft to death. so, he ventures out into the world ot fine adventure.this takes him to meet anther main character-vanessa, a floris, who saves barry from begin swatted by her angry boyfriend. two strike up a friendship and go beyond the natural boundaries of human beings notmixing and talking to bees.

  3. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in Texas
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    AWESOME!

    I think this book is okay for girls any age above 11. i know eleven seems young, but they should know. as far as the book goes, it was absolutely great! the author really brought out the characters point of veiws and it was just,"perfect!" i definitely recommend this novel! but, probably not for boys!

  4. Adult Reviewer
    Anonymous
    Lives in New York
    I rate this title on for age 10 and give it 5.0

    Hot Book

    This book is the best that i have read in my 11 years of living!!!!!!!!!! I am serious

  5. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 9 and give it 5.0

    i think I've read this book 7-10 times

    this book is AMAZING! I've read it SO many times and it never gets boring. I recommend it x10

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