Review

Between the Lines

Common Sense Media says

Mother and daughter team up to write fun, modern fairy tale.
Age
12
Quality
 
  • Educational value2
    Between the Lines crosses a wide range of genres, such as fantasy, romance, fairy tale -- and even science fiction -- so will appeal to many different kinds of tweens and teens. Readers will build their vocabularies through this book.
  • Positive messages3
    Readers get the point that "home is not a place but rather, the people who love you" as the two main characters go to great lengths to be together (eventually helping others find their homes, too).
  • Positive role models3
    Delilah and Oliver don't always act perfectly (she sneaks out of her room, leaving her mother frantic, and he takes her into his fantasy world without asking her whether it's what she wants). Even so, each works hard to help the other get what he or she wants, and they ultimately learn to think about more than their own happiness. Readers will appreciate that Delilah is brave enough to belive that, in this fairy tale, she's the one "who's going to save the prince."
  • Violence2
    Prince Oliver is in peril throughout the quest to save a princess, including facing the dragon who killed his father, being imprisoned and threatened with torture by pirates, and battling a sword-wielding villain. He's also captured by evil mermaids who have a collection of skeletons ("some still rotting with flesh peeling back from the bone").
  • Sex2
    Some kissing between Prince Oliver and Princess Serephima. In real life, Oliver kisses Delilah. and there's some talk of dates and love; he even proposes to her.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism1
    Occasional pop culture references, such as Justin Bieber, The Little Mermaid and other Disney movies, iPod, Twilight.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Delilah's exasperated mother asks her whether she's on drugs.
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Between the Lines is a romantic fantasy about a girl who can communicate with a prince in a fairy tale. There's some kissing, hand holding, confessions of love, and even a marriage proposal. Within the fairy tale itself, Prince Oliver is in peril, facing the dragon who killed his father, being imprisoned by pirates who threaten him with torture, and battling a sword-wielding villain. In real life, Delilah and Oliver don't always act perfectly (she sneaks out of her room, leaving her mother frantic, and he takes Delilah into his fantasy world without asking her whether it's what she wants). Even so, they risk everything to be together and ultimately learn to think about more than their own happiness.

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Teen, 14 years old
September 22, 2012
12
OK for kids & up
 
Love it!
SOOO GOOOD!!!!!!! A little confusing at first but is a great book for all ages! :)
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