Pretenders

Book (2013)

by Lisi Harrison

Three girls, two guys, five secret journals.
The five most popular students at Noble High have secrets to hide; secrets they wrote down in their journals. Now one of their own exposes the private entries...
I am leaking these because I'm tired and I know you are too. The success bar is too high and pretending has become the only way to reach it. Instagrams are filtered, Facebook profiles are embellished, photos are shopped, reality TV is scripted, body parts get upgraded like software, and even professional athletes are cheating. The things we believe in aren't real.
We are pretenders.
Juvenile Fiction / Girls & Women
Juvenile Fiction / Humorous Stories
Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / General
Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Adolescence
Juvenile Fiction / Social Issues / Friendship
304 pages
Jump to family guidance

Family guidance

Ages 14+

The mature subject matter surrounding social media pressure, self-worth, and high school social hierarchies requires emotional maturity. Adolescents possess the necessary perspective to process the themes of deception and identity without internalizing the negative behaviors portrayed.

Every child is different. Use this guide alongside what you know about yours.

What to know before you start

Content details to help you decide what fits your child.

Sex & Nudity

3/5

The film explores teen dating dynamics with frequent sexual references and depictions of romantic relationships. There are scenes involving suggestive dialogue and intimate interactions typical of a high school drama.

Violence & Gore

1/5

There is no significant physical violence or gore, with conflict remaining primarily verbal and social in nature. Occasional scuffles or intense confrontations are mild and non-graphic.

Profanity

3/5

The dialogue includes moderate profanity used in the context of teenage frustration, including words like sh*t (multiple times) and f*ck (occasional usage). These terms are generally used to emphasize emotional outbursts or peer-to-peer arguments.

Alcohol, Drugs & Smoking

3/5

Social drinking and partying are recurring themes throughout the story as part of the high school environment. Substance use is depicted as a consequence of peer pressure and social escapism.

Frightening Scenes

2/5

The story generates tension through the threat of leaked secrets and the psychological pressure of social status. It is emotionally intense but lacks traditional horror or graphic disturbing content.

Key Insights

Quick summary and important considerations

A story about high schoolers who learn that trying to be perfect on social media often leads to more trouble than it is worth.

Content Warnings

Privacy invasion
Social manipulation

Detailed Analysis

In-depth insights for parents and educators

What Parents Need to Know

The narrative focuses on the dangers of digital image management and the fallout from breached privacy. Expect themes involving social status, the pressure to conform, and the consequences of dishonesty.

What Kids Can Learn

Viewers gain insight into the psychological toll of maintaining unrealistic social expectations and the value of honesty over curated popularity.

Key Topics Discussed

Social media influence
Academic and social pressure
Integrity

Why Parents Might Like It

It provides a clear window into the modern adolescent experience regarding digital vanity and the often invisible pressures of the high school social ladder.

Positives & learning

Positive messages

3/5

Encourages the rejection of superficial perfectionism and promotes the importance of authentic identity in an era of filtered digital personas.

Role models

2/5

Characters demonstrate significant flaws through deceit and manipulation, though their eventual exposure serves as a cautionary exploration of moral accountability.

Representation

1/5

No diverse representation indicated in available information regarding the core cast of five students.

Learning

2/5

Offers social-emotional learning opportunities regarding the distinction between online personas and real-life character.

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