 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Imaginary Girls
- By Nova Ren Suma
- Genre: Horror
Common Sense Media says
Dark, disturbing psychological thriller for mature teens.
Parents say
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this is a dark, mature thriller best suited for well-grounded teens who enjoy tales with a paranormal touch. The characters inhabit a world devoid of responsible adults, and they seem to spend all their time drinking and eyeing each other warily (or greedily, when it comes to boys and girls). There is sex, drugs, swearing, and violence -- as well as menacing tone.
What's the story?
The entire town seems to fall under the spell of Chloe’s beautiful older sister, Ruby. Chloe almost believes that Ruby can make anything happen just by willing it. When Ruby says Chloe can swim across the entire reservoir, Chloe gives it a try. But when she comes across the dead body of her classmate floating in the water, above the town flooded years ago to create the reservoir, she needs to get away from the trauma, from the reservoir, from her sister. Two years later, though, Ruby wants her back. And Ruby always gets what she wants … almost. To Chloe’s shock, the girl she found floating, lifeless, is now alive. She starts to wonder what, exactly, Ruby is up to.
Is it any good?
It’s nearly impossible to untangle what’s real and what’s imagined in this seductive thriller — just as Chloe has a hard time disentangling love from self-interest. Most of the characters are alternately cruel and callous, and humiliatingly cowed. Mature teens will appreciate this distorted world as the setting for a twisted tragedy. Lyrical writing, perfect details, and a teasing way with the truth make this an absorbing read, though the plot moves at a sometimes glacial pace and character motivation can be as murky as the menacing reservoir itself.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the mature material here. Are there any subjects or behaviors that would make a book off limits to teens? Who should decide what you get to read?
Sex is treated casually, with low expectations and disappointment. Do stories like this one promote casual sexual relationships -- or caution against them? For help with this conversation, take a look at our Sex and Media Tips.
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AGE
Imaginary girl
I find it a good book but not very appropriate.To be able to read this book i reccomend to be mature and know what is right and what is wrong.
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AGE
Pretty good but can be better!
This book is ok but it could be better! Not very disturbing although. If you want to read a better book then read the Gone series! The titles are Gone, Hunger, Lies, and Plague! All very good but very disturbing, can be hard to read sometimes!
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AGE
Crazy good book!
This book is insanely wonderful, at the end I was begging for more! Definetly a good read, it'll leave teens breatheless. There isn't a single part in this book that I saw coming, it was all one big surprise! Love this book, five stars!
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| Author: | Nova Ren Suma |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Horror |
| Publisher: | Dutton Books |
| Publication date: | June 14, 2011 |
| Number of pages: | 352 |
| Hardcover price: | $17.99 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 14 - 17 |
| Read aloud: | 17 |
| Read alone: | 17 |
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