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ayaktruk's review against another edition
4.0
Classic Parker, but toned down a bit. There's still some sex and a ton of really fun innuendo -- ahh, to be 15-years old again, but overall I'd let my 15-year old read it.
Hope he follows it up, since the characters are young and likable, but realistically, how many mysteries can a couple of high school freshman get involved in.
Look at me, using the word "realistically" while discussing a mystery tome. Silly rabbit.
Hope he follows it up, since the characters are young and likable, but realistically, how many mysteries can a couple of high school freshman get involved in.
Look at me, using the word "realistically" while discussing a mystery tome. Silly rabbit.
constantreader471's review against another edition
4.0
A fast easy read, written for young adults. I read it because I wanted to read all of Parker's books.
roaringmamalion's review
2.0
Honestly, I'm confused. This is marketed as a book for "younger readers," and the quality of the plot and the vocabulary verifies that. But the talk of sex (including a butterfly tattoo on someone's rear end) makes this much more appropriate for high school and above. Perhaps this would work as a "high-low" book for lower skilled readers in high school classes. Ultimately, this book is a "pass," and I'll need to remove it from my middle school classroom.
absentminded_reader's review
4.0
Light, airy text. Short chapters. Small town mystery solved by teenagers. Boxing chapters served as metaphors for life. Thoughts on love, sex, and adulthood. Overall, a very good read. Engaging characters. Not overly involved plot that touches upon teenage feelings on isolation, responsibility, friendship, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
My only complaint is that teenagers rarely think or say "What do I know about X, I am only 15". My experience with actual 15yos is that they think they are already adults. Age appropriateness is an adult concept, not a teenage one, unless age is a barrier to activity, like driving or clubbing. The fact that teenagers consider themselves adults is one of the reasons they get themselves in over their heads all the time. Incidentally, it is also how they learn to become adults.
My only complaint is that teenagers rarely think or say "What do I know about X, I am only 15". My experience with actual 15yos is that they think they are already adults. Age appropriateness is an adult concept, not a teenage one, unless age is a barrier to activity, like driving or clubbing. The fact that teenagers consider themselves adults is one of the reasons they get themselves in over their heads all the time. Incidentally, it is also how they learn to become adults.
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