Puberty Blues by Gabrielle Carey and Kathy Lette

Text, 2012. ISBN 9781742759289
Puberty Blues is a book about how far teenagers will go to fit in. Deb and Sue, the main characters, don't once do anything because they actually want to; everything they do is in order to be popular. Every move they make, from sunbaking, to smoking, to sex and drugs, is done in order to fit in. The characters don't once question whether they want to do something: if it will make them more popular, they do it, like robots on autopilot. If you like a book which shocks and disturbs you, Puberty Blues is for you. Or if you think that your peer group is pretty mean when it comes to peer pressure, have a read of this, it'll make your group look like pussy cats. There is a big part of me, in fact it's the part that goes from the top of my head to the tips of my toes, that wishes I'd never read this book, but sadly I'm sure there are a lot of teens out there who will relate to it and feel less alone in their soul-destroying struggle to become, or stay, popular. To these teenagers I say, popularity isn't worth it. If your group is mean, don't read this book, just don't hang out with them. Popularity isn't worth ruining the rest of your life for.
Rachel Brabin
Editor's note: Puberty blues was first published over 30 year ago. Text