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The Battle of Darcy Lane by Tara Altebrando






The Battle of Darcy Lane is a middle grade fiction novel by Tara Altebrando. Julia and her best friend Taylor always spend their summers together. But when the new girl, Alyssa, moves in across the street, Taylor seems to slip away and Julia suddenly feels all alone.

Sex: Alyssa spies on her neighbors through their open window and tells everyone they "walk around naked." Alyssa also makes several comments about people "making out." She's also very open about who needs to go bra shopping and who doesn't.

Language: Julia says that Alyssa called her a "really awful name." It's implied, but not repeated.

Drug/Alcohol Use: Julia mentions that her parents drink beer and wine together.

Violence/Gore/Frightening Scenes/Death: Lots of bullying in this book. Also, Julia throws a tennis ball and hits Alyssa in the face. It's implied that Julia's parents may have lost a baby.

Final Note: If anything, this book is super accurate about how middle school girls often treat each other. Some of the subject matter is a little mature and Julia sneaks behind her parents back to watch a television show they told her she wasn't allowed to watch. I would say it's 7th-9th grade appropriate.

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