These links show the original reading lists. Inclusion is not a guarantee of suitability for your child.
Rebecca Anderson - Author
A frank, humorous YA novel about Rose’s difficult first sexual experience, a medical complication, relationship pressure and the shame surrounding bodies. It also follows friendship, online support and uncertainty about the future.
Body confidenceThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.ShameThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.DifferenceThe available evidence does not establish the book's treatment of this theme. See Confidence & Basis for the evidence gap.
Consider
Relationships and intimacyOther content to considerSocial conflict
Personalised Fit
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body confidenceshamedifferenceself-acceptanceconsentpressurefriendshipromantic relationshipsonline supporthelp-seekingfuture choices
FictionNovel
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Themes in Context
Bodies, shame and self-worth
Rose’s health difficulty and sexual experience make her question herself while she encounters other people’s struggles.MixedMixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.Mixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.
How the book presents it: The book appears to challenge the idea that people are broken and to treat vulnerability sympathetically, while showing shame and social pressure as painful forces.
Talk about: What helps Rose separate her worth from what her body can or cannot do, and does that understanding change over time?
Communication and healthy relationships
Rose’s relationship with Joel becomes strained, while her friendships are affected by secrecy, embarrassment and difficulty explaining what she is experiencing.MixedMixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.Mixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.
How the book presents it: The relationship is presented as nuanced rather than simply villainous or idealised; pressure and poor understanding create difficulties, while communication remains a central concern.
Talk about: If Rose and Joel do not understand one another, what forms of communication or boundary-setting become possible?
Support, advice and growing independence
Rose joins an online support group, becomes someone others approach for sex-related advice and faces uncertainty about study, work and her future.MixedMixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.Mixed: the book presents both supportive and critical signals.
How the book presents it: The narrative appears to value honest conversations and support while showing the tension between advising others and acknowledging one’s own need for help.
Talk about: Whether Rose can accept support as readily as she offers it is a useful thread to follow.
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Why It May Be Worth Reading
The book may offer an opening to discuss bodily difference, shame, consent, communication and whether someone can support others while needing help themselves. Humour sits alongside genuinely difficult experiences.
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What Deserves Attention
Expect explicit sexual discussion, including an unsuccessful first attempt, a health issue, medical appointments and relationship strain. The story also includes online support and people seeking advice about sex-related difficulties.
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A Conversation Worth Having
How does Rose’s difficulty communicating affect her friendships and relationship, and what might change if she allowed other people to see that she needs support?
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Reading Approach
Acknowledge the sexual and medical subject matter beforehand, then let the reader decide whether to pause. Afterwards, ask what felt funny, uncomfortable or compassionate, without demanding personal disclosure.
Confidence & Basis
Theme indicators describe how the book presents a topic; they are not a verdict on the whole book or your family's values. Confidence reflects how much book-specific material was checked. Only part of the book information was available, so some details remain unconfirmed.
What remains unconfirmed
Bodies, shame and self-worth: The precise medical condition, treatment details and ending are not established.
Communication and healthy relationships: The full handling of consent, responsibility and the relationship’s eventual outcome remains unclear.
Support, advice and growing independence: The reliability and consequences of the online group, and the final shape of Rose’s future, are not established.
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