Review

The Uninvited

Common Sense Media says

Siblings team up to solve mystery in suspenseful teen read.
Age
14
Quality
 
  • Educational value1
    Teens who like mysteries will find it easy to get through this book. See our "Families Can Talk About" section for some ideas for delving into the book's plot and themes.
  • Positive messages2
    Coming-of-age themes as Mimi finds
    strength and wisdom that she didn't know she had. Jay and Mimi learn how to be brother and sister and work together to solve the mystery of the lakehouse stalker.  
  • Positive role models2
    Mimi and Jay are both relatable and responsible young adults, struggling and persevering in the face of professional and personal challenges. The parents in this book are mostly dysfunctional, but they are on the periphery and their dysfunction adds a bit of depth to the main characters. 
  • Violence3
    There is a lot of suspense and worry about violence that may happen, but there is very little actual violence -- some shouting and mild scuffles. One character is shot and another commits suicide.
  • Sex1
    A minor character has children with three different women at around the same time. Cramer watches his half-sister Mimi change her clothes without her knowledge.
  • Language3
    Nothing out of the ordinary for the characters' ages. There are a couple of uses each of "s--t," "f--k," "damn," "bitch," and "Jesus." Also, a character is called "faggy."
  • Consumerism3
    Mimi's Mini Cooper, MacBook, and JVC HDD camcorder are mentioned quite often and play a part in the plot. Many other brands are mentioned in passing: Molson Canadian, Pennzoil, Ford Taurus, Starbucks, iPod, Doritos, Gibson, Roland, Martin, Stratocaster, OshKosh, Disney, Birkenstocks, 3M, and Honda Element.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking1
    Not much to worry about here. Some adults drink responsibly, calling a cab when they feel they shouldn't drive.
CloseExpand to see more details

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this mystery involves some violence and edgy material, but nothing that should shock teen readers. There are a couple of examples of inappropriate/abusive relationships, but the relationships are not glorified. The fallout from the relationships changes the main characters for the better. There is some violence culminating in attempted murder and suicide, but it is not written graphically.

This review of The Uninvited was written by

Most useful reviews by all members

Kid, 10 years old
November 26, 2010
10
OK for kids & up
 
love it.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
Helped me decide (12) | Had useful details (20) | Read my mind (14)
Teen, 15 years old
July 26, 2011
12
OK for kids & up
 
Really Good, Bad Role Models :P
Really good!! It's a little violent, and the sexual behavior isn't ALL that bad, but the role models weren't very good. The main character swears a lot, and the main character's dad had kids with 3 different women, one of them is flat out crazy and shoots her son. Other than that, loved it!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
Helped me decide (16) | Had useful details (12) | Read my mind (13)
See all user reviews

Friend Is Not a Verb

(by Daniel Ehrenhaft)
Mystery + romance + wannabe rock stars adds up to good fun.
AGE
13
 

The Amanda Project: invisible i

(by Melissa Kantor, Stella Lennon)

Compelling, quirky onion of a mystery.
AGE
12
 

Breathe My Name

(by R. A. Nelson)
Teen copes after sisters die at mom's hand.
AGE
15