Who Put This Song On? — Content Guide for Parents
Themes present
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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
In the vein of powerful reads like The Hate U Give and The Poet X, comes poet Morgan Parker's pitch-perfect novel about a black teenage girl searching for her identity when the world around her views her depression as a lack of faith and blackness as something to be politely ignored.
Trapped in sunny, stifling, small-town suburbia, seventeen-year-old Morgan knows why she's in therapy. She can't count the number of times she's been the only non-white person at the sleepover, been teased for her "weird" outfits, and been told she's not "really" black. Also, she's spent most of her summer crying in bed. So there's that, too.
Lately, it feels like the whole world is listening to the same terrible track on repeat--and it's telling them how to feel, who to vote for, what to believe. Morgan wonders, when can she turn this song off and begin living for herself?
Loosely based on her own teenage life and diaries, this incredible debut by award-winning poet Morgan Parker will make readers stand up and cheer for a girl brave enough to live life on her own terms--and for themselves.
"Morgan Parker put THIS song on--and I hope it never turns off." —Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin and Odd One Out
“A triumphant first impression in the YA space.” —Entertainment Weekly
“An incredibly heartfelt, deep story about a girl's coming of age.” —Refinery29
Frequently asked questions
Is Who Put This Song On? appropriate for a 7-year-old?
The book addresses themes of bullying and includes references to mental health struggles, which may be interpreted as a form of emotional violence. However, explicit violent acts are not detailed in the search results. The protagonist experiences panic attacks and engages in self-destructive behaviors, which may be distressing to some readers. The mental health themes contribute to a sense of emotional turmoil.
Does Who Put This Song On? have violence?
The book addresses themes of bullying and includes references to mental health struggles, which may be interpreted as a form of emotional violence. However, explicit violent acts are not detailed in the search results.
Does Who Put This Song On? have scary content?
The protagonist experiences panic attacks and engages in self-destructive behaviors, which may be distressing to some readers. The mental health themes contribute to a sense of emotional turmoil.
Does Who Put This Song On? have religious themes?
The protagonist attends a conservative Christian private school, which influences her experiences and interactions. The narrative includes her reflections on faith and the cultural context of her upbringing.
Does Who Put This Song On? have racial/cultural content?
The protagonist is one of the few Black students at her school and faces microaggressions and racism. The narrative explores her identity and experiences as a racial outsider in a predominantly white environment.
Does Who Put This Song On? have profanity?
The book contains strong profanity, including words such as 's--t', 'f--k', and others, which are used throughout the narrative.
Does Who Put This Song On? have climate change?
No climate themes or environmental issues are detected in the search results.
Does Who Put This Song On? have sexual identity?
The narrative includes frequent and graphic descriptions of sexual encounters, including references to alcohol use and risky behaviors. It discusses themes of sexuality in a candid manner.
Does Who Put This Song On? have gender roles?
The book discusses gender perceptions and the protagonist's determination to maintain her own views against societal expectations. It touches on the complexities of gender identity and societal norms.
Does Who Put This Song On? have lgbtq+ themes?
The story features a multiracial group of friends, including a gay character. The narrative includes themes of support among friends and addresses issues related to LGBTQ+ identities.
