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Quick answer: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is best for ages 12 or 13 and up. The first book is a fairly clean summer romance with kissing and some underage drinking, while the sequels deal with a parent’s death from cancer and include non-explicit references to sex.
Quick facts
Recommended age: 12+ for book one; 13+ for the trilogy
Reading level: Middle school to teen
Genre: YA romance
Published: 2009–2011, three books
Main concerns: Romance, underage drinking, a parent’s death
TV rating: Prime Video series rated TV-14
The Summer I Turned Pretty has become hugely popular again thanks to the Prime Video series, and many tweens and teens are picking up the books. It’s a nostalgic summer romance with a love triangle. The first book is mild, and the trilogy grows more mature. This guide explains what’s in each book so you can decide when your child is ready.
Table of Contents
What Is The Summer I Turned Pretty About?
Every summer, Isabel “Belly” Conklin goes to the beach house of her mother’s best friend, Susannah, and her two sons, Conrad and Jeremiah. Belly has always had a crush on Conrad.
The summer she turns 16, everything changes: the boys start noticing her, and Belly finds herself in a love triangle. But a family secret is about to change their summers forever.
Check price of The Summer I Turned Pretty on Amazon
Content Guide for Parents
| Content | Level | What to Expect |
|---|---|---|
| Romance | Moderate | Kissing and crushes in book one; the sequels include non-explicit references to sex. |
| Drinking | Moderate | Teens drink at parties. |
| Illness and death | Significant in book two | Susannah has cancer, and the second book deals with grief. |
| Language | Mild | Some mild swearing. |
| Relationship drama | Moderate | Love triangles and jealousy. |
| Positive messages | Moderate | Family, friendship and growing up. |
Age-by-Age Breakdown
| Age | Is The Summer I Turned Pretty a Good Fit? |
|---|---|
| Under 11 | Usually not ready for the romance focus; try The Penderwicks. |
| 11 to 12 | Book one suits many readers. |
| 13 and up | The sweet spot for the trilogy. |
| 15 and up | Ready for the third book’s more mature themes. |
How the Books Compare to the TV Show
The Prime Video series, rated TV-14, follows the books but adds storylines and some more mature content. Many teens watch the show first and then read the books.
The books are generally a bit milder than the show, especially the first one.
Is The Summer I Turned Pretty Okay for an 11-Year-Old?
The first book is fine for many 11- and 12-year-olds, especially those who enjoy romance. The drinking and crushes are typical of YA.
The second and third books deal with grief and more mature relationship content, so many parents wait until 13 or 14 for them.
What Parents Should Know
- It’s a trilogy. It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer follow.
- The sequels are more mature. Especially the third book.
- The show is TV-14. It adds content.
- Jenny Han wrote more. To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is similar.
- It’s emotional. The second book is about grief.
How to Tell If Your Child Is Ready for The Summer I Turned Pretty
- Read the first chapter yourself. Ten minutes with the opening pages tells you a lot about the tone of The Summer I Turned Pretty.
- Think about what upsets your child. Every child is different, so match the content table above to your own child rather than to their age alone.
- Ask what they already know. Kids often hear about popular books from friends, so ask what they expect and why they want to read it.
- Offer to read it together. Reading at the same time, or aloud, makes it easy to pause and talk about hard scenes.
- Keep the door open. Tell your child they can stop at any time and come to you with questions.
A Simple Plan for Reading The Summer I Turned Pretty Together
- Before reading: look at the cover and blurb together and ask what your child expects from The Summer I Turned Pretty.
- While reading: check in every few chapters with one open question, such as “What surprised you?”
- After a hard scene: ask how it made them feel rather than what it means.
- After finishing: talk about the ending, then let your child choose what to read next from the suggestions below.
Questions to Talk About With Your Child
- Are you Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah? Why?
- How does Belly change over the summer?
- Why is the beach house so important to the families?
- How do the characters deal with sad news?
- What makes a summer memorable?
If Your Child Isn’t Ready Yet: Similar Books to Try
These picks offer summer stories and romance for different ages.
The Penderwicks by Jeanne Birdsall: ages 8 and up. Four sisters spend a magical summer at an estate in the Berkshires. It’s sweet and funny.
Check price of The Penderwicks on Amazon
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before by Jenny Han: ages 12 and up. Lara Jean’s secret love letters are mailed to her crushes. It’s charming and clean.
Check price of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before on Amazon
Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins: ages 13 and up. An American girl falls for a classmate at a Paris boarding school.
Check price of Anna and the French Kiss on Amazon
Related: best book club books for teens and best romance books for book clubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What age is The Summer I Turned Pretty appropriate for?
The first book suits ages 12 and up, and the full trilogy is best for 13 and up.
Is there sex in The Summer I Turned Pretty?
Not in the first book. The sequels include non-explicit references to sex.
Is The Summer I Turned Pretty sad?
The second book is sad because it deals with a parent’s death from cancer.
How many books are in the series?
There are three: The Summer I Turned Pretty, It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer.
Is the TV show appropriate for kids?
The Prime Video series is rated TV-14 and includes somewhat more mature content than the books.