The Program — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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Content themes
Factual summary of themes present in this book. No opinion — just the facts.
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Religious themes
PRESENTContains references to prayer and church attendance. A minister character plays a supporting role in two chapters.
About this book
Sloane knows better than to cry in front of anyone. With suicide now an international epidemic, one outburst could land her in The Program, the only proven course of treatment. Sloane’s parents have already lost one child; Sloane knows they’ll do anything to keep her alive. She also knows that everyone who’s been through The Program returns as a blank slate. Because their depression is gone—but so are their memories.
Under constant surveillance at home and at school, Sloane puts on a brave face and keeps her feelings buried as deep as she can. The only person Sloane can be herself with is James. He’s promised to keep them both safe and out of treatment, and Sloane knows their love is strong enough to withstand anything. But despite the promises they made to each other, it’s getting harder to hide the truth. They are both growing weaker. Depression is setting in.
And The Program is coming for them.
Frequently asked questions
Is The Program appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses a teen-suicide epidemic, depicting a disturbing scenario where 1 in 3 young lives are claimed by this 'behavioral contagion'. The protagonist grapples with grief and the societal implications of this crisis. The book presents a dark and chilling dystopian setting centered around a teen-suicide epidemic, which may be considered frightening for some readers due to its themes of death and mental health struggles.
Does The Program have violence?
The book addresses a teen-suicide epidemic, depicting a disturbing scenario where 1 in 3 young lives are claimed by this 'behavioral contagion'. The protagonist grapples with grief and the societal implications of this crisis.
Does The Program have scary content?
The book presents a dark and chilling dystopian setting centered around a teen-suicide epidemic, which may be considered frightening for some readers due to its themes of death and mental health struggles.
Does The Program have religious themes?
No religious content detected in the search results for 'The Program'. The narrative does not include religious practices, beliefs, or critiques.
Does The Program have racial/cultural content?
No race or racism themes detected in the search results for 'The Program'. The narrative does not focus on racial issues or identity.
Does The Program have profanity?
No explicit profanity detected in the search results for 'The Program'. While some reviews mention language that might not be suitable for younger readers, specific instances of profanity are not cited.
Does The Program have climate change?
No climate themes detected in the search results for 'The Program'. The narrative does not address environmental issues or climate activism.
Does The Program have sexual identity?
The narrative includes sexual content where the characters Sloane and James engage in sexual activity, described as occurring twice with protection. The scenes are noted to be minimally detailed.
Does The Program have gender roles?
The narrative includes elements of traditional gender roles, as some reviews suggest that the male character James exhibits possessive and potentially sexist behavior towards Sloane. However, the overall framing of gender roles is not explicitly detailed.
Does The Program have lgbtq+ themes?
No LGBTQ+ themes detected in the search results for 'The Program' by Suzanne Young. The narrative does not focus on LGBTQ+ identities or relationships.
