It is the responsibility of parents to keep an eye on their children’s reading material. They should make sure that the books their kids read are relevant and appropriate to their age. The Summer I Turned Pretty book by Jenny Han has taken the attention of countless adolescents. This novel has struck many a young reader because of its consideration of complex emotional situations such as first love, the dynamics of the family unit and personal development. The big question is: What are the consequences of reading this book? What kind of effect will it have on your children?
Although the book is well publicized, you have to analyze its content and determine whether it is suitable for your kid or not. This article is basically The Summer I Turned Pretty parents guide. We will break down the content of the book, its age appropriateness and discuss the critical themes.
What is The Summer I Turned Pretty book about?
This is the first book of Jenny Han’s popular trilogy. In the novel, Isabel “Belly” Conklin is a little girl who stays in a beach house with her mother and brother during every summer. The beach house is a place where the Fisher family members reside along with some family friends. This summer, however, is different. Belly is not a child anymore, she is starting to feel emotions, relationships and experiences that make her question her definitions of love & identity.
A love triangle between Belly and two brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher is the heart of the story. Belly’s relationship with both boys develops as she grows from an awkward outsider to a center of affection to two young men. The book is not only a love story; it speaks of topics like personal development, heartbreak, transition and deep emotional connections established by family members and friends.
Readers are made to experience the emotional weathering of adolescence. A first love, a first rejection and family animosities that are washed with the impervious rawness of growing up. The narrative also deals with the loss and grief topic, when Belly weighs her parents divorce and her own self-image. The beach house is perfect for this emotional coming-of-age trip.
What is The Summer I Turned Pretty’s age rating?
The book is recommended for readers aged 12 and up. Hence, it suits the pre-teen and teenage demographic. The book addresses heavy emotional and relational themes, such as first love, jealousy, family confrontation, and grieving. Even though we can not say this story has explicit content, it describes the relationships and may question the readers about intimacy, attraction, and boundaries. For younger readers, the themes of first love and tangled family lives can fire up their imagination. Teens, particularly in middle school or their first or second year of high school, are likely to find Belly’s emotional growth relatable and, therefore, a good fit for their age group.
Parents should exercise caution when recommending this book to younger teens because it is not suitable for everyone. Parents should read the book themselves and be ready to discuss the material with their children so that they fully understand and reflect on the information.
Ensure a safe online environment for teens with the parental control.
What parents should know about the content?
As a parent, it is imperative to be informed of the content your child consumes, especially if we are discussing literature that addresses romance, grief, and family relations. The Summer I Turned Pretty is one of the most beloved books, but it is cumbersome and might need parental guidance. The following are the main factors parents should be informed of:
Language
Parents are often concerned about the nature of the language books use. The Summer I Turned Pretty has a rather general language, typical for youth (under 18) novels, but without excessive swearing and indecent language. The book contains profanity, but not to such an extent as to be considered excessive or vulgar. The characters’ emotional depth and love, loss, and friendship are the focus of the writing. This makes it suitable for young adults.
Romantic themes
Romance is one of the key themes of The Summer I Turned Pretty. The book’s essence is a love triangle between Belly and the Fisher brothers. This love triangle moves with Belly having difficulty knowing what she wants. Consequently, first love, jealousy, and multiple interests are discussed in the novel.
Several of the scenes involve kissing, and there is a romantic tension in the novel. Yet, the romantic content is not explicit or graphic. The book’s portrayal of romance is more emotional than physical intimacy. It is about struggling with love, attraction, and growing up. Parents should know that this romantic component, though not spelled out in every detail, will incite a discussion related to relationships, boundaries, and consent.
Sexual content
The Summer I Turned Pretty treats themes such as attraction and love, but does not contain any explicit sex. There is no graphic imagery, nor are there any discussions about sexual intercourse. Nonetheless, the novel does address the emotional heights of young love and those desires associated with adolescence. For some younger readers, this could incentivize discussion on love, physical limits, and healthy relationships. Parents might want to have an open conversation with their children to ensure they understand how maturity in relationships evolves.
Family dynamics and grief
Another primary subject in The Summer I Turned Pretty is the family dynamics. Belly’s family relationships are intricate and substantive within her emotional trip. She has to deal with the conflicts between her parents. The novel also introduces grief after the loss of a family member. These are serious topics for younger readers; parents should learn to tackle them. A depiction of family in conflict and how the emotional battles Belly fights can allow parents to discuss topics such as parents divorcing, parental grief, and the need to communicate in a family relationship. Depending on the reader’s maturity level, these subjects may be uncomfortable.
Alcohol or drug references
There are some mentions of alcohol concerning parties and social meetings. Although drinking is mentioned in the story, it is not romanticized or at the core of the narrative. There is nothing suggestive of binge-drinking, and the book is not peddling substance abuse. Yet, the presence of alcohol could be a good opportunity for parents to talk about responsible choices regarding drinking.
Why are teens drawn to read The Summer I Turned Pretty book?
Teenagers are attracted to these books because they relate them to their own experiences. The Summer I Turned Pretty is extremely relatable to young people who are figuring out adolescence and peer relations. The book’s depiction of first love, family relationships, and self-discovery hits close to home because teens have similar problems in their own lives.
One key reason teens enjoy this book is that it captures the essence of growing up. Belly’s feelings of uncertainty, longing, and excitement are universal to adolescence. As teens read of Belly’s struggles and triumphs, they will probably identify with their own story. The novel is an eye-opening experience for them.
How does the book The Summer I Turned Pretty impact minors?
Books of the genre, such as The Summer I Turned Pretty, can affect young readers for a long time. The novel gives one an idea about relationships, emotional growth, and ways to navigate difficult family situations. It provides a backdrop for understanding love and identity, the two major issues of adolescence.
The description of first love and the complexity of love-based relationships that the book provides assist teens in learning what love entails and why it is beautiful. By exploring these themes, the book may help clarify the teen’s situation about their emotions and relations. Also, the theme of loss and grief is delivered, which may help teens with personal experiences and family dynamics. In aggregate, The Summer I Turned Pretty promotes emotional growth and reflection and provides a worthwhile range of tools for young readers figuring themselves out.
How can parents guide minors’ online reading?
Parents must be upfront about their children’s reading habits. This is especially true when much of the reading is done online. Given the large amount of content available to children, parents should monitor and guide their children’s reading material.
In such scenarios, parents have no options but to rely on decent monitoring tools. These apps enable parents to control their kids’ exposure to inappropriate or harmful material while creating a safe reading environment. Some options like FlashGet Kids offer decent features including Live Monitoring, Screen Mirroring, and Tracking Apps, parents can stay in the loop at all times.
Besides, parents should openly discuss the books they are reading with their children. Through dialogue about literature, parents can teach their children how to process the information in the book in a thoughtful and constructive way.
Final words: should teens read it?
The Summer I Turned Pretty book is a fine read that explores complex themes relevant to the teenage experience. It is suitable for teens 12 years and older, depending on their maturity level. Parents should be ready to guide their children through the book’s emotional and relational themes. Through an open discussion, young readers can navigate the content and gain vital lessons. This book provides valuable reading material for teens as it teaches them the emotional intricacies of adolescence and allows them to think about personal matters. Third-party parental control apps like FlashGet Kids can help monitor children’s reading habits.
FAQs
Teenagers aged 12 and older should definitely read the book. It mentions some romantic ideas and family problems.
Yes, the book is appropriate for 12-year-olds. However, it is also important to consider the kids’ maturity level.
No, the book does not have explicit scenes. It has a little kissing and romance, but it is not graphic.
The themes investigated in the book include first love, friendship, family dynamics, and emotional evolution.
Yes, it is PG-13. The book consists of a romantic and emotional storyline suitable for older teens.
