Tools for this page
Print

You Don't Know Me

(2005, Fiction - Contemporary Fiction, Written by David Klass)
  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 12, age appropriate for kids over 0; suggested age 12.
  • Is it any good?

    4.0
  • Common Sense says

    Teen copes with abuse with humor and fantasy.

updated 07.04.08

Why We Rated This on for Ages 12 and Up

What to watch out for

  • Messages:

    A teen shoplifts and is caught, and adult fences stolen goods.
  • Violence :

    John suffers increasingly severe abuse at the hands of his mother's boyfriend, beginning with smacks, escalating to a beating with a belt, ending with a beating severe enough to require a hospital stay and reconstructive surgery. A gun, a riot at a basketball game. John briefly considers suicide.
  • Sex :

    A couple of make-out scenes, not graphic. An oblique reference to masturbation
  • Language:

    Some moderate swearing.
  • Consumerism:

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

    The mother's boyfriend gets drunk on whiskey, the punch at a high-school dance is spiked.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About You Don't Know Me

Parents need to know that the protagonist deals with serious abuse at the hands of his mother's live-in boyfriend. Alienated and angry, he briefly considers suicide.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about how John deals with the abuse. How could he have gotten out of his dilemma? How do his problems affect his view of the world?
Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Enter your email address
I am over 13 years old
Tell us your child's age
Why we ask
Why we ask
Providing your kids' age allows us to give you personalized recommendations for your family on our site and in our weekly newsletter (coming soon) - so you get better information, faster.Your privacy is our priority.

You are now subscribed to the Common Sense weekly newsletter!

To write reviews and create a public profile, complete your account set-up here.

Our Members Say

Have You Read It? Review It!

  • What did you think about You Don't Know Me?
  •  I think this book is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review
See all 23 member reviews

Most Recent Reviews

  1. Teen Reviewer
    Age 17
    Lives in Minnesota
    I rate this title off for age 17 and give it 1.0
    My concerns are:
    • Excessive violence
    • Inappropriate sexual content
    • Inappropriate language
    • Excessive consumerism
    • Drinking, smoking, or drug use
    • Negative message
    • Negative role models

    i smell like poop and i eat it too

  2. Kid Reviewer
    Age 12
    Lives in California
    I rate this title on for age 11 and give it 1.0

    interesting

    this book was interesting. but it wasnt the best book. i give it a 6 or 7

  3. Kid Reviewer
    Age 11
    Anonymous
    Lives in
    I rate this title iffy for age 12 and give it 2.0

    only read half of it but okay so far

    the book was okay.... most of it is confusing as its aimed for 13+. all my family(who are 13+) want to read it and guess wat they loved it . and my mum felt so sorry for "john" after the 1st chapter!!!!! overall that i have read its quiet boring not recormended for under 12!!!

  4. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in North Dakota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    I LOVED IT! I cried and laughed

    I LOVED THIS BOOK! I just finished it and can relate to this boy. He must feel so alone in this world. The author made it so we can feel like we were actually there ! 5 star book I have told all my friends to read this book!

  5. Teen Reviewer
    Age 14
    Lives in North Dakota
    I rate this title on for age 13 and give it 5.0

    I LOVED IT! I cried and laughed

    I LOVED THIS BOOK! I just finished it and can relate to this boy. He must feel so alone in this world. The author made it so we can feel like we were actually there ! 5 star book I have told all my friends to read this book!

Find books reviews by title

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 0-9

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Site of the Week

    KidZui

    KidZui

    Kids' browser features prescreened, safe sites.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Beach Body Blues

    Beach Body Blues

    Talk to your kids about body image and the media.

  • Tech Tip

    What parents need to know. All About Avatars

    What parents need to know.

  • Pick of the Week

    MTV for Young Teens

    MTV for Young Teens

    Good MTV shows? Yup -- check out our list.

  • Sound Check

    Relapse

    Relapse

    Social value lost in glorification of pills, rape, murder.