Hundred Percent by Karen Romano Young

Hundred Percent by Karen Romano Young is a Middle Grade fiction book about a girl named Christine/Chris/Tink. (It's sixth grade, she can't decide!) It's a coming-of-age story that accurately reflects the turmoil of changing friendships as children get older.

Sex: This is a MIDDLE GRADE book and shockingly enough, sex is discussed quite frequently. Tink and Jackie talk a lot about their changing bodies, Jackie dresses up like a pregnant woman for Halloween and Tink, dressed as an army man, says that everyone thinks "she got her pregnant." They talk about Jackie's mother and her boyfriend "sleeping together." A boy in Tink's class tells her he thinks she would look good naked.

Language: There's some mild language in this book. The most frequent is the use of the word "slut." It's used by adults and children alike, in relation to Jackie and her mother.

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: There is some definite bullying. The girls in Tink's class purposely leave her out quite often. At the end of the book, the kids in their 6th grade class deface Jackie's class picture frame with some really mean words.

Alcohol/Drug Abuse: Casual mentions of alcohol use.

FINAL NOTE: My biggest concern for parents with this book is that it's considered a middle grade book. Kids as young as 3rd grade could pick this up. Although the story is about 6th graders, and probably accurately reflects how 6th graders talk and act, the material seems more YA appropriate. The book jacket doesn't give any hints about the true content.

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The Rapid Reader

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