Never Have I Ever

Review

Common Sense Media says

Suspenseful sequel mixes mean girls and a murder mystery.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

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Quality
 
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this book is the second in a mystery series about a murdered teen -- and her long-lost twin, who is trying to solve the crime. There is much to make parents cringe, including dangerous pranks, underage drinking, sneaking out, shoplifting, label-dropping and more. Even so, protagonist Emma is trying to solve her sister's murder and Sutton, who narrates as a ghost, feels increasing remorse about her bad girl behavior.

  • Educational value1
    Could lead to some spirited discussions about the media's impact on mean girl behavior -- and whether this book is promoting or condemning it. See our "What To Talk About" list for some ideas for getting started. Teens interested in more girl-centered mysteries should check out our list of recommended titles.
  • Positive messages0
    Full of pranks and mean girl behavior, but Emma is trying to solve her sister's murder and Sutton, who narrates as a ghost, feels increasing remorse about her bad girl behavior ("I'd insisted, over and over, that no one dare tell me what I'd done, like I was the most important person in the room.")
  • Positive role models2
    Emma is a relatable, nice girl who is trying to do the right thing. She is appreciative of many things Sutton took for granted, like her family.
  • Violence2
    This series centers on solving Sutton's murder. The girls in her clique also play other pranks and Emma fears her life is in danger through the book (including when a light almost shatters on her head and when she is trapped -- and choked -- in a cave).
  • Sex2
    In a scene recounted from the first book, Emma turns town Sutton's boyfriend for sex when she finds him naked in her room. A romance builds between Emma and Ethan, and they sneak into a neighbor's pool together and later share a steamy kiss. There is a mention of teens in skimpy bikinis and another character admits going to an appointment to find out about breast implants.
  • Language2
    A small sprinkling of swear words including "pissed," "bitch" and the s-word.
  • Consumerism4
    Lots of label dropping: iPhone, BlackBerry, Tory Burch, New Balance, Sprite Zero, POM, Lincoln SUV, Girl Talk, Black Swan, Jersey Shore, Pottery Barn, etc.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking3
    The girls drink Bloody Marys at lunch and later play a drinking game. One character smokes.
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What's the story?

NEVER HAVE I EVER picks up where The Lying Game left off: Emma is still pretending to be her murdered identical twin, Sutton, and living her rich girl life as she tries to find out who did it. When she is able to clear Sutton's closest friends, her attention turns to the Twitter Twins, social media-obsessed sisters anxious to be get in with the popular prank-pulling pack -- and who Emma learns have a serious score to settle with Sutton. But will Emma be able to solve the crime before she becomes the next victim? 

Is it any good?

 

Readers fond of series like Gossip Girl will find lots of other clique lit staples to fantasize about -- such as an awesome makeup artist coming over to do the girl's makeup before a school dance, or Emma's romantic secret swim with Ethan in a vacationing neighbor's pool. Some of this is truly suspenseful, such as when Emma gets trapped in a cave while searching for one of the Twitter Twins, who may have been hurt in a fall -- and then suddenly hears a "maniacal giggle." Not much gets resolved here, but Sutton, who narrates as a ghost, feels increasing remorse about her bad girl behavior. It may be formulaic, but the novel is fast paced, and fans of these kinds of books will probably look forward to Book 3.

What families can talk about

  • Families can talk about mean girl behavior. What do you think of the way that Sutton's friends act? Are the pranks and put downs authentic or exaggerated?

  • The author notes in her acknowledgments, "I dearly hope none of you emulate the club's sinister and often dangerous pranks." Is this warning necessary? Should parents be concerned that kids will emulate what they see in media -- or do they need to give them more credit for separating real life from fantasy?

This review was written by Kate Pavao
Teen, 14 years old
September 11, 2011
AGE
13
 
Amazingly suspenseful
I loved this book.I read it and i wanted soooo badly to get my hands on Two Truths and A Lie (HURRY UP SARA SHEPARD!!!) especially with the huge shocker at the end!
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Adult
October 3, 2011
AGE
10
 
good book
on for 11
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Helped me decide (11) | Had useful details (13) | Read my mind (9)
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Teen, 13 years old
January 3, 2012
AGE
11
 
Thumbs up!
Was really good and i can't wait for the next book, Two truths and a lie! I loved it and would recommended anyone 11 and up to read it! It was suspenseful and really a great read!
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Helped me decide (7) | Had useful details (7) | Read my mind (7)
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This review was written by Kate Pavao
Author:Sara Shepard
Book type:Fiction
Genre:Mystery
Publication date:August 2, 2011
Hardcover price:$16.99
Publisher's recommended age(s):14
This review was written by Kate Pavao
 

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About our rating system
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.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

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