Holly Jackson’s A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder, a bestseller gracing the New York Times list for 77 weeks, has captivated young readers. Now a Netflix series, it follows 17-year-old Pip as she reopens a closed murder case from five years prior. As Pip digs deeper, uncovering long-buried secrets, a figure in town emerges who’s determined to keep those secrets concealed. With the book’s popularity and its adaptation, parents are naturally asking: is a good girl’s guide appropriate for my teen? This guide breaks down the age rating and content to help you decide.
Age Rating: Book vs. TV Series
The recommended age for A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder differs slightly depending on the format.
Book Recommendation
The publisher, Penguin Random House, suggests the book is suitable for readers aged 14 and older.
TV Show Rating
The TV Parental Guidelines rate the A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder series as TV-MA, signifying it is intended for mature audiences aged 17 and up. However, Common Sense Media suggests a slightly lower rating of 14+.
Still shot from A Good Girl
Considering the Divergence
Discrepancies in ratings should prompt parental caution. The presence of mature themes requires careful consideration of your child’s maturity level.
Content Considerations: What Parents Need to Know
Several elements within A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder warrant parental awareness:
Language
Expect realistic teenage dialogue, including profanity. The TV series tends to have more frequent use of strong language than the book.
Sex and Nudity
While nudity isn’t shown on screen, discussions about it occur. The book includes a scenario where a teen is pressured into sending a nude photo. Teenage romance exists, limited to kissing, with descriptions of groping in the book. Underage sex is also mentioned.
Substance Use
Drug use and dealing feature prominently in both the book and show, including onscreen ketamine use. Underage drinking is frequent, and Rohypnol (a date-rape drug) plays a role in the plot.
Violence
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder contains significant violence, including murder, discussions of suicide, self-harm, self-induced vomiting, rape, and sexual assault. The series depicts some violence, such as a victim with a bloodied head, much of the explicit violence from the book is toned down.
Positive Messages
The protagonist, Pip, fights for justice and demonstrates determination, learning, and growth from her mistakes.
Making the Decision: Is A Good Girl’s Guide Right for Your Teen?
Deciding is a good girl’s guide appropriate hinges on your individual child. Consider their maturity level, sensitivity to mature themes, and your own comfort level.
If you have concerns, consider:
- Reading the book or watching the show yourself first.
- Watching the show or reading the book with your teen to facilitate discussion.
- Using parental controls to monitor online activity.
Monitoring Your Child’s Media Consumption
Tools like BrightCanary can help you monitor your child’s online activity, including searches related to the show on platforms like YouTube and Google. This provides insight into their interests and potential exposure to concerning content, even if BrightCanary doesn’t directly monitor Netflix.
Ultimately, the decision of is a good girl’s guide appropriate is a personal one. Being informed about the content allows you to make the best choice for your family.
Related posts:
Is One Piece for Kids?
Wednesday Age Rating: Is It Appropriate for Kids?
Is Bob’s Burgers for Kids?
[
