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Good Talk: A Memoir in Conversations,
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Amy
I purchased thinking my sister could read with her 12-year old adoptive son and they could use it as a jumping off point for race discussions. It's not that, and her family is conservative enough that the author's sex life would be a no-go. But I do think it is one in which themes of identity and prejudice (including from POC) is really well discussed and for a family comfortable with discussions of sexuality, this would be a good tween-age book.
It's also amazing at showing how well-intentioned people who love each other can still cause a lot of hurt when they refuse to hear & empathize with your experience.
It's also amazing at showing how well-intentioned people who love each other can still cause a lot of hurt when they refuse to hear & empathize with your experience.
Ale
Only those who get to read it simultaneously with a caring adult who actually has time to talk about all the questions this book ponders. Kids will place themselves in Z's place, and while Jacob does give him answers, she then shares the doubts and thought process behind those answers, which in turn will make a young reader question every answer she's received, so make sure you have time to listen, think and talk rather than leaving a child more confused by relegating its education on several uncomfortable realities to a book like this, as great as it is.
Carolyn
I'd say no. Really an adult book, but perhaps there are sections that could be shared with and understood by a teen.
Madelene Antrim
I imagine there's likely more objectionable material in any given episode of shows like Riverdale (which I don't find objectionable for my tween, but to each their own) than anywhere in this book. Then again, I often forget that plenty of parents have no problem with their kids watching hours of violence but freak right out if someone, like, decides to breastfeed in public. Shrug...
Julie
Depends on the reader; there is a full frontal nude image of one of the characters in the book.
Anika
My daughter (6th grade) is currently reading Good Talk. She loves it (stays up late reading, which is unusual for her). But she did say it's slower than she thought it would be because "there's actually a lot of reading."
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