The Fault in Our Stars
by John Green
Young-Adult, Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Realistic-Fiction, Teen, Coming-Of-Age
Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel’s story is about to be completely rewritten. Insightful, bold, irreverent, and raw, The Fault in Our Stars is award-winning author John Green’s most ambitious and heartbreaking work yet, brilliantly exploring the funny, thrilling, and tragic business of being alive and in love.
Recommendations from Common Sense Media
Age Recommendation: 14+
What Parents Need to Know:
Parents need to know that The Fault in Our Stars is a story about teens fighting cancer, and sensitive readers might be uncomfortable with the subject matter and sometimes graphic descriptions of what it’s like to die. Hazel has some near-death experiences and also copes with Gus as he vomits uncontrollably, etc. Characters lose eyes, legs, control of their personalities, and more. Also, characters play violent video games and read books and watch movies with high body counts. There’s some swearing and drinking, and the two main characters, who are in love, do have (safe) sex, though it’s described only briefly. This is a mature and powerful story: Hazel not only provides teens with insight about what it is like to know you’re dying — and to lose someone you love — but her story is also about deciding to love and be loved, even when you know it will cause pain.
Educational Value: 3/5
Will build vocabulary and awareness of literature, as the book makes references to Shakespeare, etc. (including the title, which comes from his Julius Caesar (“The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,/ But in ourselves, that we are underlings.”). Can inspire discussions about fate, the meaning of life, thoughts about dying.
Positive Messages: 4/5
Hazel not only provides teens with insight about what it is like to know you are dying — and to lose someone you love — but her story is also about deciding to love and be loved, even when you know it will cause pain.
Positive Role Models: 4/5
Hazel is a smart, funny narrator, and readers will appreciate the flawed but loving characters throughout. Most notably, readers will be amazed by her parents, who try to be truly supportive to their daughter always, even though their hearts are breaking and they don’t always agree with her choices.
Violence & Scariness: 2/5
There is no out-and-out violence here, but sensitive readers should know that there are graphic descriptions of what it is like to suffer through cancer. Hazel has some near-death experiences and also copes with Gus as he vomits uncontrollably. Characters lose eyes, legs, control of their personalities, and more. Also, characters play violent video games and read books and watch movies with high body counts.
Sex, Romance & Nudity: 2/5
The two main characters, who are in love, do have (safe) sex, though it is described only briefly.
Language: 3/5
Some mature language that seems realistic given the age of the main characters: stuff like “bull—-,” “bastards,” “nuts,” etc.
Products & Purchases: n/a
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Drinking, Drugs & Smoking: 2/5
The main characters drink champagne, etc., on a trip to Amsterdam, and Gus puts cigarettes in his mouth (but doesn’t smoke them). Some discussion of fictional cancer drugs. An adult character is an alcoholic who begins drinking early in the morning.
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