Mike Chirdon answers “does anyone else think that a little too...”

Maine Mom asked this question about Such a Fun Age:

does anyone else think that a little too much was made of Alex/Alix calling the cops? A group of kids showing up uninvited knowing parents are away = the house getting trashed, regardless of race. The alternative seems to be to let it happen just to seem cool and redeem some of her lost social standing

Mike Chirdon I don't think this was supposed to be clear be clear cut. Who was right in this situation? That probably depends on who you ask. Alex's peers obviousl…moreI don't think this was supposed to be clear be clear cut. Who was right in this situation? That probably depends on who you ask. Alex's peers obviously felt one way, but she wasn't punished by any authority figure. I don't think we are supposed to understand Alex or Kelley as the arbiter of good judgement/right vs. wrong in this novel.

I know what I think about the situation (She was jealous that Kelley was going to start paying attention to the cool kids and was calling the cops because she was mad, not to protect anyone. At minimum, she could have asked them to leave/threatened to call the cops before she actually called the cops. Whether she did it because she's a bad person or oblivious, I think she was wrong to do it), but I think you could appreciate this book and think the Alex was completely in the right and horribly mistreated by her classmates/Kelley.(less)

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