The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart
Reviewed by JenniferRatings
Content Ratings based on a 0-5 scale where
0 = no objectionable content and
5 = an excessive or disturbing level of content
LANGUAGE
VIOLENCE
SEXUAL CONTENT
ADULT THEMES
Ratings Explanation
Language: Some crude references and swearing. FU (abbreviated, not spelled out) used twice.
Sexual Content: Frankie’s body develops over the summer and she can now stop teenage boys in their tracks. She talks to a boy while wearing a string bikini and is self conscious because it’s “not enough clothing.” A boy is caught “fooling around” with girl. Frankie and her roommate joke about her filled out chest and the way boys look at girls’ chests when they talk to them. Frankie and her older boyfriend kiss or make out several times in the book. Once her boyfriend presses his body hard against her, but that is as graphic as it gets. Frankie’s sister and friend assume she and her boyfriend are having sex and both counsel her to use protection. Her sister informs Frankie that she can get free condoms at Planned Parenthood. It is stated that another couple is having sex. A boy describes himself as “horny” and a reference is made to ” getting down my pants.”
Adult Themes: Teenagers drink beer and smoke with no visible consequences. Students at their school in the 1970s smoked pot. Several pranks including heisting school property, stealing keys to the school and other misdeeds. One student is almost expelled for the pranks, but when the real mastermind steps forward, they are both put on probation. The others involved in the pranks are never revealed and suffer no consequences. Issues of class. Special rules apply to the wealthy and powerful.
Synopsis
14-year old Frankie Landau-Banks attends a prestigious boarding school, belongs to the debate team, and is basically invisible. 15-year old Frankie Landau-Banks still attends Alabaster Prep, but returns her Sophomore year sporting a curvy, filled out body and is definitely not invisible. Her improved looks and quick wit land her a hot Senior as her new boyfriend. Life is great! As Matthew’s girlfriend, she is automatically accepted into the prestigious Senior social circle and she loves the attention and elevated status. But Matthew and his friends, all members of a long standing, all-male secret society on campus, don’t take her seriously and underestimate her intelligence and slightly criminal mind. Not wanting to just be Matthew’s “arm candy”, Frankie systematically takes over the secret society, unbeknownst to its members, and masterminds the best pranks the society has executed in years.
I really enjoyed Frankie’s character – resourceful, smart, quick-witted, slightly acid-tongued, and willing to risk the boyfriend she has always wanted in order to assert herself.
A Starred Review from Booklist recommends this book for grades 7-12, but there is enough sexual content that I wouldn’t want my 7th grade daughter reading it. I think it is appropriate for 10th grade and up.
©2010 The Literate Mother