Is this book too 'adult' for a 13-year-old?

It's on the edge. There's no graphic sex, but the descriptions of 80s drug and party culture are frank. If they're mature and interested in the subject matter, it's fine, but it's really written for a high school level and up.

Does he name names and trash his co-stars?

Not really. He tells stories involving famous people (Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, the Sheens), but he generally keeps it classy. It's more about his experience of them than trying to tear them down.

Is the audiobook better than the print version?

Yes, absolutely. Lowe narrates it himself, and his impressions of people like Christopher Walken and Lorne Michaels make the stories land much better than they do on the page.

Does it focus more on his early life or his later career?

It's a good mix. About half the book is dedicated to his childhood and the 80s, while the second half covers his comeback with The West Wing and his personal growth.

Stories I Tell My Friends – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Stories I Tell My Friends

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

book2011

82%

WISE Score

Rob Lowe delivers a surprisingly thoughtful look at the Brat Pack era, The West Wing, and his path to sobriety without the usual Hollywood snark.

Stories I Tell My Friends

book

2011

82%

WISE Score

Rob Lowe delivers a surprisingly thoughtful look at the Brat Pack era, The West Wing, and his path to sobriety without the usual Hollywood snark.

Jump to

Where to Read

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Libby

Our reviews and ratings are 100% unbiased, but as an Amazon Associate, Screenwise earns an affiliate fee if you buy a book or game by clicking one of our links. We don't get any credit if you just Google it instead :)

Screenwise Verdict

If you're expecting a trashy tell-all, look elsewhere. Rob Lowe’s memoir is actually one of the better celebrity autobiographies out there because he’s more interested in the 'how' and 'why' of his life than just dropping names—though he drops plenty of those too.

It’s a great pick for a kid who is interested in the mechanics of fame or the history of the film industry. It treats the reader like an adult and offers a surprisingly vulnerable look at what happens when the 'teen idol' phase ends and real life begins.

Age Fit

This is perfect for mature teens (14+) and adults. If your kid is obsessed with 80s movies or The West Wing, they'll get a kick out of it, but it's fundamentally a book about adult reflections on a life lived in public.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

While it covers the 'wild excesses' of the 80s Hollywood scene, the book is centered on a journey toward sobriety, family, and professional longevity. It avoids being mean-spirited or purely scandalous.

Imaginative

As a memoir, it's grounded in reality, but Lowe's storytelling is vivid and offers a unique perspective on the intersection of celebrity and politics.

Safe

It's a book for adults and mature teens. It discusses drug and alcohol use in the context of his past and his recovery, which is handled responsibly rather than glamorized.

Enriching

Provides a genuine look at the cost of early fame and the discipline required to maintain a multi-decade career. The sobriety arc is particularly strong for older readers.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Real Hollywood history from someone who was actually in the room for the birth of the modern youth movie movement.
Sobriety as a superpower is a major theme here; Lowe is candid about his recovery without being preachy.
The West Wing behind-the-scenes content is gold for fans of the show, detailing the weird overlap of TV politics and the real White House.
Strong writing that proves he didn't just hire a ghostwriter to do the heavy lifting; the voice is distinct and engaging.

⚠

What to Watch For

Mentions of 80s drug culture and 'wild excesses' are frequent, though they serve as the 'before' to his sobriety 'after.'
Older teens who love The Outsiders will find this fascinating, but it's definitely written for an adult audience with adult language and situations.

Conversation Starters

"How does someone stay grounded when they become world-famous at age fifteen?"
"Lowe talks about being 'misunderstood' as a kid actor; how does the public's perception of a person differ from their reality?"
"What does his journey to sobriety tell you about the pressures of that industry?"
"Why do you think he chose to write a book that isn't 'mean-spirited' toward his peers?"

Deep Dive

Most celebrity memoirs feel like they were written to settle scores or satisfy a contract. Stories I Tell My Friends feels like Lowe actually has something to say about the machinery of Hollywood. He was there for the shift in the early 80s when 'youth culture' became the dominant force in movies, and his account of filming The Outsiders is basically a historical document for film nerds.

What makes it work for a Screenwise audience is the lack of cynicism. Even when he's talking about the darker parts of his career or the 'Brat Pack' label that followed him for decades, he isn't bitter. He’s reflective. For a parent, it’s a useful look at how a child's environment (like 70s Malibu) can shape their trajectory—for better and worse.

If you have a teen who is into acting or media history, this is a much better 'textbook' than anything they'll find in a classroom. It’s honest about the work, the ego, and the eventual realization that family and health matter more than the next big role.

What Parents Ask

Ask Anything

Get a personalized guide on any topic

Writing about Stories I Tell My Friends? Put this WISE score on your site