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Not Suitable for Family Viewing
Robin has everything a girl could want. Thanks to her mother—the internationally beloved talk show host Mimi Schwartz—Robin’s got the money, the means and the connections to make even her wildest dreams come true. So why, then, does she choose to sit alone in a dark room watching endless reruns of you, you and Mimi?
Don’t ask Robin. She doesn’t know—not, at least, until the bizarre discovery of an old high-school ring propels her to ditch New York for a tiny Nova Scotian fishing village. In her quest to solve the mystery behind the ring’s origin, Robin finds more than a renewed joie de vivre. She discovers love, the truth of her own background� and the shocking secret that helped make her mother a star.
Don’t ask Robin. She doesn’t know—not, at least, until the bizarre discovery of an old high-school ring propels her to ditch New York for a tiny Nova Scotian fishing village. In her quest to solve the mystery behind the ring’s origin, Robin finds more than a renewed joie de vivre. She discovers love, the truth of her own background� and the shocking secret that helped make her mother a star.
289 pages, Paperback
First published October 8, 2009
5 people are currently reading
272 people want to read
About the author
Vicki Grant
27books135followersAfter a long and messy adolescence, Vicki Grant stumbled into writing. She worked her way up from 30-second ads to 30-minute television scripts to full-length novels. She's written sixteen young adult, middle-grade and high-low novels. Her most recent YA novel, 36 Questions That Changed My Mind About You, has been published worldwide in over twenty territories.. Vicki lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Awards:
� Best Juvenile (2006): Quid Pro Quo
Red Maple Award: Not Suitable For Family Viewing
CBC Young Canada Reads: The Puppet Wrangler.
Awards:
� Best Juvenile (2006): Quid Pro Quo
Red Maple Award: Not Suitable For Family Viewing
CBC Young Canada Reads: The Puppet Wrangler.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 58 reviews
August 30, 2010
Funny, clever and Canadian!
Robin is likeable in her brashness and self-effacing way, and a character that really grows on you as she peels back the layers of who she is and where she’s from. The love interest Levi is the kind of guy who brings the best out of her, and a guy you just can’t help but like (and sort of crush on). Mixed in is the quest to unravel a family secret, which is paced well and surprising.
Robin is likeable in her brashness and self-effacing way, and a character that really grows on you as she peels back the layers of who she is and where she’s from. The love interest Levi is the kind of guy who brings the best out of her, and a guy you just can’t help but like (and sort of crush on). Mixed in is the quest to unravel a family secret, which is paced well and surprising.
May 11, 2022
The novel started very boring and slow, nothing was keeping me and book club members interested. I think the novel shouldn't be classified as a mystery although at the end of the novel the plot got more fascinating. The only thing truly keeping me and my book club interested was the romance between Levi and Robin, their chemistry and awkward moments made us cringe but we couldn't stop reading. I love this novel for the romance and parts of the mystery. Would recommend this book to someone who needs something interesting, romantic, but the novel is only 50% mystery. The book wasn't bad towards the end.
November 18, 2010
ohmigod. Please read this book. Please?
I started it on a whim on my lunch break (the book I brought with me really wasn't doing anything for me, so I ditched it, and picked this one at random from the stack I have stashed on my desk for reading emergencies (yes, I am that nerotic about reading. This habit came about after a couple instances during which I realized I'd left home with nothing to read, and had a mini panic attack while having to pretend to be normal).
I couldn't put it down.
Wait...let me put that another way.
I COUDLN'T PUT IT DOWN!!!!!
It was amazing. I fell completely in love with Robin (the main character--a teenage girl who has everything a girl could possibly need, except for any kind of family affection) as she discovers one tiny flaw in her mother's otherwise flawless life. It's a shock for her to find that her mother (a world-famous talk-show host--think Oprah) is hiding something when she has made her career out of putting her entire life on display, so Robin decided to start digging.
For her, it's an effort to become close to her mother whom she isn't close to at all.
It's exciting, the writing is amazing. It's funny, it's frightening, and it's sweet and romantic.
Amazing read.
Please read it.
Please.
-geekgirl
P.S. The cover really doesn't capture what this book's about. I don't know what the cover should be, but this isn't it. It makes you think it's going to be completely about a teen romance, and while there is some of that (and it's adorable), that's not what the heart of the story's about. (please read it)
I started it on a whim on my lunch break (the book I brought with me really wasn't doing anything for me, so I ditched it, and picked this one at random from the stack I have stashed on my desk for reading emergencies (yes, I am that nerotic about reading. This habit came about after a couple instances during which I realized I'd left home with nothing to read, and had a mini panic attack while having to pretend to be normal).
I couldn't put it down.
Wait...let me put that another way.
I COUDLN'T PUT IT DOWN!!!!!
It was amazing. I fell completely in love with Robin (the main character--a teenage girl who has everything a girl could possibly need, except for any kind of family affection) as she discovers one tiny flaw in her mother's otherwise flawless life. It's a shock for her to find that her mother (a world-famous talk-show host--think Oprah) is hiding something when she has made her career out of putting her entire life on display, so Robin decided to start digging.
For her, it's an effort to become close to her mother whom she isn't close to at all.
It's exciting, the writing is amazing. It's funny, it's frightening, and it's sweet and romantic.
Amazing read.
Please read it.
Please.
-geekgirl
P.S. The cover really doesn't capture what this book's about. I don't know what the cover should be, but this isn't it. It makes you think it's going to be completely about a teen romance, and while there is some of that (and it's adorable), that's not what the heart of the story's about. (please read it)
June 5, 2022
To be honest, I hated this book at first. The only reason I kept reading is to make fun of the main character, Robin. She was a brat and a snob who had everything handed to her. I will say though, the book got VERY INTERESTING towards the last 75 pages, maybe. What Robin discovers is absolutely shocking.
June 11, 2021
Hlavna hrdinka Robin ma skvely zivot. Ma bohatu a uspesnu mamu, ktora je dennodenne v TV, ma k dispozicii upratovacku a otca, rockera. Tak co jej vlastne chyba? Preco sedi cely cas vo svojej izbe a pozera sa na reprizy maminej relacie?
Jedneho dna nahodou najde v maminej spalni staru fotku a prsten. A to nakopne Robin k tomu, aby patrala po maminej minulosti. No a ta je teda poriadne zaujimava a hlavne necakana! Nielen Robin bola prekvapena, ale aj ja som bola!!! 😂 Ozaj som necakala, kam nas pribeh zavedie. 👏 Skoda, ze chyba nejaky doslov, ci sa autorka inspirovala skutocnymi udalostami, alebo ci si to vsetko vymyslela.
Robin nielenze najde lasku, skutocny povod jej mamy, ale pojde jej aj o zivot.💣
Pacilo sa mi, aky vztah mala Robin a jej mama, taky suchy, tazkopadny, a naopak, s gazdinou nemala problem pokecat, objimat sa, byt sama sebou.
Za mna palec hore, dobre napisane, taka mila oddychovka, no so zamotanym pribehom.
Jedneho dna nahodou najde v maminej spalni staru fotku a prsten. A to nakopne Robin k tomu, aby patrala po maminej minulosti. No a ta je teda poriadne zaujimava a hlavne necakana! Nielen Robin bola prekvapena, ale aj ja som bola!!! 😂 Ozaj som necakala, kam nas pribeh zavedie. 👏 Skoda, ze chyba nejaky doslov, ci sa autorka inspirovala skutocnymi udalostami, alebo ci si to vsetko vymyslela.
Robin nielenze najde lasku, skutocny povod jej mamy, ale pojde jej aj o zivot.💣
Pacilo sa mi, aky vztah mala Robin a jej mama, taky suchy, tazkopadny, a naopak, s gazdinou nemala problem pokecat, objimat sa, byt sama sebou.
Za mna palec hore, dobre napisane, taka mila oddychovka, no so zamotanym pribehom.
May 8, 2010
Robin is filthy rich because her mother, Mimi Schwartz, is a big-time TV host. One would expect her to be popular and surrounded by famous people. Instead, she coops up in her room and watches the re-runs of her mother's show episodes without giving a care in the world.
When she finds an old picture of her mother, she decides that she will go off to discover who Mimi really is. Packing her bags to leave New York City, she lands in a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada. As she tries search for her mother's real identity, Robin unexpectedly runs into romance and the buried secrets that made Mimi a celebrity today!
Vicki Grant is a favourite Canadian author of mine. I absolutely love her novel for preteens, Quid Quo Pro, which is full of delightful humour that kids and adults can both enjoy! Most of her novels, however, are for reluctant readers, which are all quite short and simple. So when I saw Not Suitable for Family Viewing, I had to get it!
Compared to Quid Quo Pro, there was not a load of in-your-face humour. Instead, the funny stuff were done subtly. I love the atmosphere of this novel as it is very contemporary.
I pitied Robin in the beginning and there were a couple of times where she lightly touched my nerves, but overall I loved her as a character. She is very realistic and I liked how instead being the type of person who uses her mother's fame to her advantage, she is very withdrawn and knows that those who befriends her uses her. Her relationship with pretty much her only friend, Selena, is quite tight. Although Selena acts like she doesn't care, she comes around in the end to aid an old friend.
I found Robin's time in Nova Scotia to be very charming and new. Her first meeting with her boyfriend-to-be, Levi, was absolutely hilarious! Their relationship is absolutely adorable and not overexaggerated. It was nice for once to see that a novel was not wholeheartedly based on the romance because the main story was trying to find out who Robin's mother really is.
Not Suitable for Family Viewing is such a page turner, where contemporary book fans will devour it in an instant! The ending will take readers by surprise and glee for that it is done amazingly well with uniqueness and love. A recommendation for all girl readers and realism fans!
When she finds an old picture of her mother, she decides that she will go off to discover who Mimi really is. Packing her bags to leave New York City, she lands in a small town in Nova Scotia, Canada. As she tries search for her mother's real identity, Robin unexpectedly runs into romance and the buried secrets that made Mimi a celebrity today!
Vicki Grant is a favourite Canadian author of mine. I absolutely love her novel for preteens, Quid Quo Pro, which is full of delightful humour that kids and adults can both enjoy! Most of her novels, however, are for reluctant readers, which are all quite short and simple. So when I saw Not Suitable for Family Viewing, I had to get it!
Compared to Quid Quo Pro, there was not a load of in-your-face humour. Instead, the funny stuff were done subtly. I love the atmosphere of this novel as it is very contemporary.
I pitied Robin in the beginning and there were a couple of times where she lightly touched my nerves, but overall I loved her as a character. She is very realistic and I liked how instead being the type of person who uses her mother's fame to her advantage, she is very withdrawn and knows that those who befriends her uses her. Her relationship with pretty much her only friend, Selena, is quite tight. Although Selena acts like she doesn't care, she comes around in the end to aid an old friend.
I found Robin's time in Nova Scotia to be very charming and new. Her first meeting with her boyfriend-to-be, Levi, was absolutely hilarious! Their relationship is absolutely adorable and not overexaggerated. It was nice for once to see that a novel was not wholeheartedly based on the romance because the main story was trying to find out who Robin's mother really is.
Not Suitable for Family Viewing is such a page turner, where contemporary book fans will devour it in an instant! The ending will take readers by surprise and glee for that it is done amazingly well with uniqueness and love. A recommendation for all girl readers and realism fans!
January 3, 2016
2.5 - 3.0 stars.
I think...I think this book is one of the ones that just isn't for me. I spent the majority of my time extremely confused and a little offended? I don't know why I kind of wanted to smack Robin about 3 out of 5 times she did anything.
First, the way she acts depressed in the beginning. I'm not entirely sure if she is considering how she acts. Now, I'm quite intimately associated with how depression works and if that was what the author was going for - I feel like she didn't really get it right. If it wasn't, I feel like it's kind of a mockery to those who do suffer from it.
I liked the mystery but it seems a bit cliche, which usually never happens with me - I'll read a trope I love about 50 million times- but I knew what was happening while at the same time I was quite confused lol I don't really think a book has ever done that to me. I knew where the plot was going but at the same time I really didn't understand what was happening.
Robin just didn't seem like a real person, she wasn't relatable - which I'm assuming is what the author was aiming for- some of her dialogue was quite funny though. I don't understand how she just up and leaves for Nova Scotia without...really...telling anyone? I actually don't even really know how old she is. Levi's character is just way too convenient for my liking though I get the whole parallel thing but idk- it doesn't sit well with me.
Mimi is a whole nother story - I just, I don't understand how she:
In the end I wouldn't say this book was horrible, it wasn't outstanding or anything to really recommend but I did finish it and I wouldn't exactly steer people away from it.. I'm not one to finish books I hate so that must mean something. Overall, I wouldn't reread it and I'll probably end up sending my copy to a friend or donating it.
I think...I think this book is one of the ones that just isn't for me. I spent the majority of my time extremely confused and a little offended? I don't know why I kind of wanted to smack Robin about 3 out of 5 times she did anything.
First, the way she acts depressed in the beginning. I'm not entirely sure if she is considering how she acts. Now, I'm quite intimately associated with how depression works and if that was what the author was going for - I feel like she didn't really get it right. If it wasn't, I feel like it's kind of a mockery to those who do suffer from it.
I liked the mystery but it seems a bit cliche, which usually never happens with me - I'll read a trope I love about 50 million times- but I knew what was happening while at the same time I was quite confused lol I don't really think a book has ever done that to me. I knew where the plot was going but at the same time I really didn't understand what was happening.
Robin just didn't seem like a real person, she wasn't relatable - which I'm assuming is what the author was aiming for- some of her dialogue was quite funny though. I don't understand how she just up and leaves for Nova Scotia without...really...telling anyone? I actually don't even really know how old she is. Levi's character is just way too convenient for my liking though I get the whole parallel thing but idk- it doesn't sit well with me.
Mimi is a whole nother story - I just, I don't understand how she:
In the end I wouldn't say this book was horrible, it wasn't outstanding or anything to really recommend but I did finish it and I wouldn't exactly steer people away from it.. I'm not one to finish books I hate so that must mean something. Overall, I wouldn't reread it and I'll probably end up sending my copy to a friend or donating it.
December 13, 2010
Ehh. It was OK. It's a good waste of time I have to say. I really like the relationship between "Opal" and Levi. It was cute. THe whole plot of the story was OK. Wasn't all that great. Just a rich girl who is looking for some answers. But, you know Selena? I find it so weird that she was like yelling at Robin and then helped her when she asked. I dunno. Maybe the author just wanted it like that. This book is a Silver Birch book. And I think it won't win. There just wasn't something in it that made me like it enough to give it a higher rating. I mean, it could have been better in my opinion. Anyways, if you want to pass the time, read this book.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 24, 2010
Main character has no personality other than being self-centred and whiny with no sense of perspective. Story is contrived with too many unbelievable plot points and a lot of repetition. Decent writing saves it from the 1 star rating, but I did not really like it. Wish I could say more for a book that takes place in NS, which is a great place!!
February 15, 2011
I didn't enjoy this book at all, and I'm fairly open minded when it comes to YA, as long as it's decently written. Robin's mom Mimi is a talk show host. Robin discovers some things that point to evidence from her mother's past and she travels to Nova Scotia to discover the truth about her mother.
The plot is really insane and takes a long time to unravel. This was just sort of over the top.
The plot is really insane and takes a long time to unravel. This was just sort of over the top.
July 19, 2015
Not great. This book doesn't know if it wants to be a mystery, a family drama, or a romance. The author does a poor job of tying the story lines together.
August 3, 2022
The first 100 pages are dreadful. Seriously, I only kept reading because I bought an actual hard copy at the thrift store for 4 dollars and it seemed like a waste of money to just have it sit around. I imagine this is what straight people read.
The main character is unlikeable quite a bit. Which is fine. Though one line does mention how she wants to lose weight and so the next time she travels she's gonna look up famine. So, there's that. There's also no nuance, or intrigue besides the mystery of her mother to keep the book going. But I have since found out that this is a YA book, so that's okay I guess. It also came out in 2010 or something, but since most of it's based in Nova Scotia I didn't even think twice about the limited technology.
I got kinda into it after 100 pages because of Levi. He's cute. They had some nice banter though Robin makes a fool of herself numerous times. Seriously, she's embarrassing. I think a lot of the book is the same thing over and over again. Like her thoughts, it's as if she talks herself into stuff she already settled on. She's also so inconsistent. But that's more her insecurities I think.
The ending left a bit to be desired. I like to read about reactions of characters, so the fact that there's a time jump and we don't get particulars about what happens after the crash is disappointing. There was such a lead up, it felt like a patch-up instead of a conclusion.
The twist got me even though I thought Percy and Mrs. Hiltz were involved. I even considered Mrs. Hiltz to be the one to throw the brick by how she wanted Robin away from Percy. I didn't think she'd go full on murder-suicide though. It felt a little cheap, but I suppose this does happen to some people. I hate how Mrs. Hiltz was killed off and I don't think I'm supposed to feel this way. Dying was less of a comeuppance than social downfall. Seeing her being shunned by the community that worshipped her, rather than hearing she had a heart attack, would have been much more satisfying.
I have to admit I did not look up the book before I bought it, so it was my fault for thinking it would have more romance in it (I blame the cover). My favorite parts were the angsty moments with Levi, so maybe that says something about me. We never get Robin telling Levi her secrets, or even her real name. It's a shame really.
I don't have much to say about the Bisters. Everything about their story is horrifying. I would have thought the government to jump in earlier. I hate how grudges can take a hold of people like that. However, that aspect of the book seems true. How small towns can villainize people, and how that in turn can foster hate just the same. Also, the poverty and abuse of it all.
I liked this line, "I don't feel happy any more, but after a while I don't feel particularly bad either. That's just the way things go." I think that that is something a lot of people can relate to, and it says something to her character.
I wouldn't re-read this book, nor would I go out of my way to recommend. But, if you have it like I did, may as well read it.
The main character is unlikeable quite a bit. Which is fine. Though one line does mention how she wants to lose weight and so the next time she travels she's gonna look up famine. So, there's that. There's also no nuance, or intrigue besides the mystery of her mother to keep the book going. But I have since found out that this is a YA book, so that's okay I guess. It also came out in 2010 or something, but since most of it's based in Nova Scotia I didn't even think twice about the limited technology.
I got kinda into it after 100 pages because of Levi. He's cute. They had some nice banter though Robin makes a fool of herself numerous times. Seriously, she's embarrassing. I think a lot of the book is the same thing over and over again. Like her thoughts, it's as if she talks herself into stuff she already settled on. She's also so inconsistent. But that's more her insecurities I think.
The ending left a bit to be desired. I like to read about reactions of characters, so the fact that there's a time jump and we don't get particulars about what happens after the crash is disappointing. There was such a lead up, it felt like a patch-up instead of a conclusion.
The twist got me even though I thought Percy and Mrs. Hiltz were involved. I even considered Mrs. Hiltz to be the one to throw the brick by how she wanted Robin away from Percy. I didn't think she'd go full on murder-suicide though. It felt a little cheap, but I suppose this does happen to some people. I hate how Mrs. Hiltz was killed off and I don't think I'm supposed to feel this way. Dying was less of a comeuppance than social downfall. Seeing her being shunned by the community that worshipped her, rather than hearing she had a heart attack, would have been much more satisfying.
I have to admit I did not look up the book before I bought it, so it was my fault for thinking it would have more romance in it (I blame the cover). My favorite parts were the angsty moments with Levi, so maybe that says something about me. We never get Robin telling Levi her secrets, or even her real name. It's a shame really.
I don't have much to say about the Bisters. Everything about their story is horrifying. I would have thought the government to jump in earlier. I hate how grudges can take a hold of people like that. However, that aspect of the book seems true. How small towns can villainize people, and how that in turn can foster hate just the same. Also, the poverty and abuse of it all.
I liked this line, "I don't feel happy any more, but after a while I don't feel particularly bad either. That's just the way things go." I think that that is something a lot of people can relate to, and it says something to her character.
I wouldn't re-read this book, nor would I go out of my way to recommend. But, if you have it like I did, may as well read it.
August 30, 2017
This book started off very quirky but quickly became an intense story. Events unfold very smoothly. Very easy to notice the character development. Really cute story, I really wish some parts were longer and more detailed. The ending moved very fast... perhaps adding some sort of sequel portion so readers can be satisfied with how the story ends.
July 12, 2020
Light, funny and enjoyable. This novel has an interesting and unusual plot but it's not really presented in the best way. I felt like things were happening too fast in terms of timeline which took away from the story in my opinion. The characters were great which is a definite plus. I think this is a great read for a summer afternoon as it's short and has a good storyline, but it's not a page-turner in the classic sense.
March 6, 2024
Robin, daughter of Mimi Schwartz an international talk show host, stumbles upon a man’s sports ring with Port Minton High School Panthers written on it and an old photo, both hidden in a chair in her mom’s room; this starts Robin on the journey from New York to an abandoned old fishing village in Nova Scotia.
Not Suitable for Family Viewing by Vicki Grant is a fun young adult romance with an awkward and unique meet cute. It’s full of family secrets and several unpredictable plot twists.
Not Suitable for Family Viewing by Vicki Grant is a fun young adult romance with an awkward and unique meet cute. It’s full of family secrets and several unpredictable plot twists.
May 9, 2017
"I'd read all Austen's books a million times. I practically knew them by heart." I'm always interested in characters who say things like that! I really enjoyed this novel and I'm glad I picked it up right after I read Vicki Grant's newest book, Short for Chameleon.
April 29, 2020
3.5 stars... such a cute and easy read! Really enjoyed the characters and the plot twist at the end was good!
October 30, 2020
This was such a cute read! I loved that it was a Canadian book through and through!
November 18, 2020
good easy read, light story, quick ending.
October 3, 2024
Y. A. Novel, larger than life, over-the-top story. This is a riotous read, which I very much enjoyed.
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February 7, 2012Reviewed by Rachel Seigel
Robin Schwartz should be happy. With famous talk-show host Mimi Schwartz for a mom, she’s got everything she needs to make her dreams come true. So why then, is she sitting alone in the dark watching endless reruns of her mom’s show? When the bizarre discovery of an old high school ring sets her off on a quest to solve the mystery behind its origin, Robin finds herself in a tiny Nova Scotian fishing village where she discovers love, the truth of her background, and the startling secret that helped to make her mother a star.
Vicki Grant’s latest novel for teens is part mystery, part romance, and a humorous and thought-provoking read. Readers will be immediately intrigued by Robin. She has money and means, and the opportunity to be happy, but she appears to be deliberately miserable. She is friendless, uninterested and sarcastic, and she can barely bring herself to get up off the couch. As the novel progresses, readers discover that Robin is much deeper than she appears. She struggles with body issues and, despite having “everything,� she feels lonely, and abandoned by her mom. As Robin gets further along in her quest to solve the mystery of the ring, she discovers a great deal about herself, and is finally able to forge a tentative connection with her mother.
What really makes this novel work is the humour that Grant infuses into the story. With so many heavy, issue-based books on the market for teens, it’s refreshing to read a book that makes you laugh out loud, without becoming silly or losing sight of the message. Excerpts from Mimi’s talk show lead into each chapter, and they are both revealing and entertaining. Teens who are looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read will enjoy this novel, and thanks to Grant’s mastery, will come away having learned some valuable lessons as well.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)
Robin Schwartz should be happy. With famous talk-show host Mimi Schwartz for a mom, she’s got everything she needs to make her dreams come true. So why then, is she sitting alone in the dark watching endless reruns of her mom’s show? When the bizarre discovery of an old high school ring sets her off on a quest to solve the mystery behind its origin, Robin finds herself in a tiny Nova Scotian fishing village where she discovers love, the truth of her background, and the startling secret that helped to make her mother a star.
Vicki Grant’s latest novel for teens is part mystery, part romance, and a humorous and thought-provoking read. Readers will be immediately intrigued by Robin. She has money and means, and the opportunity to be happy, but she appears to be deliberately miserable. She is friendless, uninterested and sarcastic, and she can barely bring herself to get up off the couch. As the novel progresses, readers discover that Robin is much deeper than she appears. She struggles with body issues and, despite having “everything,� she feels lonely, and abandoned by her mom. As Robin gets further along in her quest to solve the mystery of the ring, she discovers a great deal about herself, and is finally able to forge a tentative connection with her mother.
What really makes this novel work is the humour that Grant infuses into the story. With so many heavy, issue-based books on the market for teens, it’s refreshing to read a book that makes you laugh out loud, without becoming silly or losing sight of the message. Excerpts from Mimi’s talk show lead into each chapter, and they are both revealing and entertaining. Teens who are looking for a lighthearted and entertaining read will enjoy this novel, and thanks to Grant’s mastery, will come away having learned some valuable lessons as well.
Canadian Children's Book News (Winter 2010, Vol. 33, No. 1)
July 12, 2011
3.5 stars
I was in the mood for a contemporary, so I picked this one up off my shelf. I wasn't sure what to think of it for a lot of the time. In the beginning I was interested, but that sort of dropped off a little in the middle, and then toward the end? Yeah, it definitely had my attention again. And I can tell that a solid story has been told, because I'm still thinking about the community and its history a few hours after finishing the book.
The romance in the book is not as big a part of the story as the cover would make you believe, but it is a cute part. Levi's pretty adorable, and I wish I could have heard his accent every time I read his lines, but apparently I'm not that good at imagining an East Coast accent. So yes, Robin and Levi are pretty cute, and they have some hilarious scenes together, but they're not the heart of the book.
The best thing about this book, I think, is the setting (small town Nova Scotia) and mystery of Robin's family background, which is all wrapped up in the history of the area. I also enjoyed all the characters that Robin meets in Shelton. I had guesses about who Mimi was, or what exactly went on, but I have to say that I didn't totally guess all the details (some of them, yes, but not all of them) until right when Robin was figuring everything out.
This is an enjoyable book overall, and it's pretty unique, both for the subject matter and especially for the setting.
P.S. Random, but it took me a while to figure out why the talk show was called "You, You and Mimi". I was like "why are there two YOUs?" *long pause* Ohhhhh, "you you and me me". Yah. Got it.
I was in the mood for a contemporary, so I picked this one up off my shelf. I wasn't sure what to think of it for a lot of the time. In the beginning I was interested, but that sort of dropped off a little in the middle, and then toward the end? Yeah, it definitely had my attention again. And I can tell that a solid story has been told, because I'm still thinking about the community and its history a few hours after finishing the book.
The romance in the book is not as big a part of the story as the cover would make you believe, but it is a cute part. Levi's pretty adorable, and I wish I could have heard his accent every time I read his lines, but apparently I'm not that good at imagining an East Coast accent. So yes, Robin and Levi are pretty cute, and they have some hilarious scenes together, but they're not the heart of the book.
The best thing about this book, I think, is the setting (small town Nova Scotia) and mystery of Robin's family background, which is all wrapped up in the history of the area. I also enjoyed all the characters that Robin meets in Shelton. I had guesses about who Mimi was, or what exactly went on, but I have to say that I didn't totally guess all the details (some of them, yes, but not all of them) until right when Robin was figuring everything out.
This is an enjoyable book overall, and it's pretty unique, both for the subject matter and especially for the setting.
P.S. Random, but it took me a while to figure out why the talk show was called "You, You and Mimi". I was like "why are there two YOUs?" *long pause* Ohhhhh, "you you and me me". Yah. Got it.
July 5, 2010
Appropriate for grade eight. A little slow at the beginning. The main character is not entirely sympathetic at first, but then again, she is not really meant to be. She is the spoiled child of an absent, Oprah-like mother. Things seem to improve once the main character arrives in Port Minton. Clearly, the author is more familiar with Nova Scotia than she is with New York. The New York section at the beginning reads a bit like a Gossip Girls book without being quite so sordid. Having said that, this is the type of book that one might offer to a Gossip Girls fanatic in an attempt to guide the reader to something a bit more palatable. The whole idea of a family isolated on an island due to typhoid seems plausible. I wonder if this aspect on the novel is based on Nova Scotia history. The concept of "wreckers" also seems entirely plausible - without doing any research into the matter. In general, the book is well written, although the story is told entirely from the point of view of the protagonist. The novel might have benefited from multiple points of view. I give it four stars. Poor readers would give it two, as they would struggle with some of the vocabulary and structure of the novel. Good readers in grade eight would probably give it four or five stars. The book contains action, romance, mystery, history, drama and a search for self. Interesting.
May 15, 2012
Robin is filthy rich due to her mother, Mimi Schwartz's fame from being a host on a popular talk show. Robin can buy whatever she wants but instead she sits in her room watching reruns of her mother's show. After uncovering an old ring and a photo of her mother, she begins to wonder about her mother's past. Robin decides to go to a small town in Nova Scotia to ind answers about her mother! While there, she falls in love with a boy and uncovers the secret of her mother's rise to fame!
I read this book because the title seemed very interesting and I wanted to know what it was about! Also, I saw many people reading this book!
I finished this book because I wanted to know the shocking secret on how Mimi became famous! Also this book had something going on at all times! :)
I would recommened this book to teen girls because from what I've read, I don't think it would suit boys! Also, I only see girls reading this book! :D
I read this book because the title seemed very interesting and I wanted to know what it was about! Also, I saw many people reading this book!
I finished this book because I wanted to know the shocking secret on how Mimi became famous! Also this book had something going on at all times! :)
I would recommened this book to teen girls because from what I've read, I don't think it would suit boys! Also, I only see girls reading this book! :D
May 17, 2013
I thought this book was amazingly awesome. I cannot even put in words how amazing it is!
It starts with Robin, a couch potato (like me!) watching her famous mother, Mimi Schwartz, on her talk show. Soon, after a series of interesting events, Robin finds herself headed to Port Minton, Nova Scotia.
Here, she tries to find out about her family, and how her mother could have possibly have any connection with a ghost town. And meeting a cute guy along the way (Levi sounds PERFECT!)
Another series of odd events happen and the twists in the plot just kept me reading and reading. And yes, when I was reading this, I had school the next day.
One small thing that I liked was that the words that are spelled differently in Canada were spelled our way! (Note: I am a very, very patriotic Canadian). Words like favorite, or color are spelled with a u in it. So favourite and colour. Random thought!
I have no critiques for this book. It's absolutely perfect. It has romance, suspense, and mystery.
It starts with Robin, a couch potato (like me!) watching her famous mother, Mimi Schwartz, on her talk show. Soon, after a series of interesting events, Robin finds herself headed to Port Minton, Nova Scotia.
Here, she tries to find out about her family, and how her mother could have possibly have any connection with a ghost town. And meeting a cute guy along the way (Levi sounds PERFECT!)
Another series of odd events happen and the twists in the plot just kept me reading and reading. And yes, when I was reading this, I had school the next day.
One small thing that I liked was that the words that are spelled differently in Canada were spelled our way! (Note: I am a very, very patriotic Canadian). Words like favorite, or color are spelled with a u in it. So favourite and colour. Random thought!
I have no critiques for this book. It's absolutely perfect. It has romance, suspense, and mystery.
June 15, 2011
I absolutely was shocked when I figured out that Vicky Grant was one of the people who wrote scripts for "The Big Compfy Couch!!" Thas was absolutely my favorite show, when I was about 3 or 4 years old. There is something about her writing which is truly original. This, I agree I must pat her on the back for. In the novel, "Not suitable for family view, " please do not retain yourself from reading this book, because of the title, there fore that is a silly option indeed.
Quite the interesting relevation she based the book upon, a gril named Robin "Opal" which could have everything she wantes, but in the end is everything also a sense of nothing? She struggles with her birth parents, the secrets behind her mother, and along the way, she writes up a whole chapter just for herslf. Recommended based on the idea of it all, but something for the rather lazy reader.
Quite the interesting relevation she based the book upon, a gril named Robin "Opal" which could have everything she wantes, but in the end is everything also a sense of nothing? She struggles with her birth parents, the secrets behind her mother, and along the way, she writes up a whole chapter just for herslf. Recommended based on the idea of it all, but something for the rather lazy reader.
November 26, 2011
I picked this book up because I'd seen a lot of people reading it. That spiked my interest and soon I found myself checking the book out.
Not Suitable for Family Viewing is a about the daughter of a famous talk show host who decides to spend her time indoors-every minute of the day until one day she finds a ring hidden in a chair, The ring comes from a small town, so she ventures down there where she ends up finding out her mother’s true origins, her true blood (as in ancestors, as in what race they were), and falling in love.
Sure this book might be a little far-fetched but it's really interesting. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a good read, probably girl though.
Not Suitable for Family Viewing is a about the daughter of a famous talk show host who decides to spend her time indoors-every minute of the day until one day she finds a ring hidden in a chair, The ring comes from a small town, so she ventures down there where she ends up finding out her mother’s true origins, her true blood (as in ancestors, as in what race they were), and falling in love.
Sure this book might be a little far-fetched but it's really interesting. I’d recommend this to anyone looking for a good read, probably girl though.
May 6, 2012
Okay, This is THE best book I've EVER read. I have to be honest though.. the first 2 pages might not seem VERY exciting at all.. But, I promise you will not put this book down! I've recommended this too all my friends, and to my best friend, that RARELY reads, and she told me that this is the best book she's ever read! The whole time I was thinking about Levi.. and how dreamy he is ! I mean, if there were more Levi's in this world, not a lot of breakups would be happening! Also, I think Robin is so bad ass! She's just so confident, and just so.. AWESOME! I love love love this book so much! I mean I think everyone should read this book!! :)
June 10, 2012
Easy read. I liked that the plot kept me guessing as the characters were revealed one layer at a time. Good message of self image - the contrast between real beauty and the images portrayed on television or in public media. Touches on how adults/parents are only able to give in ways they themselves learned in their own childhood, and that children/teens can accept that if they understand it. Interesting read.
October 18, 2012
Oh my lord it is such a wonderful book. A must read. I am surprised that I really enjoyed it because when I went to the library I couldn't find the books I wanted so I looked around( cuz I didn't want to come back empty handed) and stumbled upon this book! It didn't look great but I needed to read something and it is a red maple winner at my school so I thought why not give it a try. And I'm so glad I did
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