Official Review: Don't Grow Up To Be A Crack Whore

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bookowlie
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Official Review: Don't Grow Up To Be A Crack Whore

Post by bookowlie »

[Following is an official OnlineBookClub.org review of "Don't Grow Up To Be A Crack Whore" by Bobbie Hill.]
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2 out of 4 stars
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Don’t Grow Up to Be a Crack Whore by Bobbie Hill is categorized in the Children’s Book genre and is written in rhyme. It is the third installment in the Go to Bed, Damn It series. The story focuses on the things parents tell children to do (or not to do), and the reasons why. For example, you shouldn’t dye your brother blue or throw rocks at birds. There is a clear message given about why parents make children do certain things, such as their homework, chores, etc. Most of the sections end with a “don’t grow up to be a crack whore” refrain. In case you grew up on Mars, a crack whore is someone who finances their crack cocaine addiction through prostitution. Therein lies the problem – some of the word choices and descriptions are wildly inappropriate for kids.

This book is certainly unique and funny. I had a few laughs before thinking about the intended audience for this story. Sure, there are countless books out there that contain irreverent humor. However, this one is categorized on Amazon as a children’s book, so it seems unlikely it is being marketed to adults. Would an adult actually read this story to a child? Who would want to explain to a child what a crack whore is?

I felt like I was reading the script for a Saturday Night Live skit, a late-night comedy sketch that is not ready for prime time. I initially thought the book might make a humorous baby shower gift for someone with an offbeat sense of humor. Then I realized most mothers-to-be would rather receive a more useful gift for the impending bundle of joy.

The descriptions are creatively written, although the flow is awkward at times. Many of the words are too sophisticated for children to understand – for example, dredge, harass, varnish, irk, and maim. I assume you have already figured out crack and whore are also advanced words. To top it off, the word “damn” makes an appearance.

I can’t really say the book is formatted well. Each group of rhyming lines is not separated by page. As a result, the writing seems like one long stream of consciousness. In addition, I noticed one glaring error (“Don’t thrown”).

I rate this book 2 out of 4 stars. I might have awarded 3 stars if the story had been designated for adults. Most of my criticism is based on the appropriateness of this book for children. Fans of irreverent comedy would find this a quick, enjoyable read. If it is not already apparent, I would not recommend this book to kids.

******
Don't Grow Up To Be A Crack Whore
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Post by gali »

An odd book for kids, if indeed it is designated for them. It sounds like a funny book, but I agree that the book and its refrain are inappropriate for kids. Thank you for the great review!
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Post by kandscreeley »

Hmm. Odd. Even the name wouldn't be something for children. It sounds like it might be funny, but I certainly am not going to explain to children what a crack whore is. Thanks for the review. I hope the author figures out who they are trying to sell this to.
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Post by Chrys Brobbey »

Right away, I also found the title to be inappropriate to a book for kids, when I started reading the review. Really, how do you explain the word 'whore' to a child? Hopefully, the author may use this review as a basis to rework the product. Thanks.
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Post by Gingerbo0ks »

Gosh this has made my day :) I think this has been put in the wrong category and might be better off as a humourous book as a sort of joke for parents to be.
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Post by bookowlie »

Thanks everyone for the feedback! The book is funny in an offbeat way, but it is, of course, not for kids of any age. I just can't understand what the author was thinking when he decided to categorize it in the Children's genre. I thought the classification was an error on the OBC review offer, but the book is also in the Children's genre on Amazon.
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Post by kandscreeley »

Well, here's the question: Who does the categorizing? If it isn't the author, maybe he did mean it as a joke. Maybe someone else is messing up the categorization?? Just a thought.
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Post by Amagine »

Wow, this is a children's book? The author has quite a sense of humor... It would be a great book for adults but this is definitely not a book for children.

Great Review!
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Post by bookowlie »

Amagine wrote:Wow, this is a children's book? The author has quite a sense of humor... It would be a great book for adults but this is definitely not a book for children.

Great Review!
Thanks Amagine! I can see some people enjoying this book, depending on their tastes in humorous books. The book is not for everyone, to put it mildly.

-- 18 Apr 2017, 23:16 --
kandscreeley wrote:Well, here's the question: Who does the categorizing? If it isn't the author, maybe he did mean it as a joke. Maybe someone else is messing up the categorization?? Just a thought.

I assume the classification was done by the author.

-- 18 Apr 2017, 23:18 --

I think the author did it since the book is classified the same way on Amazon and here.
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Post by Kitkat3 »

This sounds really funny and like a book I would enjoy. You're right; the author needs to put it in a different category :lol:
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Post by Guppy »

Reminds me of other parent humour books like "Go the F to Sleep". Could be a good gift for parents with kids who don't listen to reason. It does sound like a hilarious book though!
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Post by bookowlie »

Thanks Kitkat3 and Guppy for taking the time to read my review. I can see people have an offbeat sense of humor liking this book. However, it still seems like it should not be classified as a children's book.
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Post by Elaine5 »

Sounds like it might be in the same vein as "Go the *#?* to Sleep". Which really went viral but was not at all for kids. Thanks for the review. Hopefully the book will be recategorized.
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Post by bookowlie »

Thanks Elaine! I never heard of the book you mentioned - maybe that's a good thing? :) Within the Children's genre, I just can't see who would think the Crack Whore book was appropriate for kids.
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Post by Heidi M Simone »

I sometimes wonder what goes on in people's head when they say certain things are appropriate for children, when it's clearly not. I'm glad that parts of the book are funny, but geez, I would never even let a child look at this book, never mind reading it. Like others have said, hopefully, the author re-categorizes the book to a more suited audience. Thank you for the wonderful and well-written review, bookowlie!
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