KISSES

by Judith Caseley ‧ RELEASE DATE: March 10, 1990

An accomplished picture-book author/illustrator (Ada Potato, 1989) makes a delightful new debut with a YA novel. At 15, nice Jewish Hannah is ripe for a first boyfriend. She makes several false starts while gaining self-confidence and a more realistic understanding of what a loving relationship entails: a fellow-musician proves to be overearnest; the handsome classmate she's worshipped from afar has feet of clay. Meanwhile, Hannah manages to cope sensibly with the unwelcome advances of her violin teacher and learns that the apparent rift in her parents' marriage--caused by the stress related to Grandpa's death--really can be healed by their abiding love. Caseley sketches her many characters with insight and sympathy, deftly contrasting Hannah's family with that of friend Deirdre (whose battling parents are an example Deirdre must learn to reverse in her own love life) and contrasting the other boys with the sweet, funny friend Hannah finally recognizes as special. Hannah's discussions of sex with Grandma, along with her worried observations of her parents' troubles, are portrayed with disarming candor. A well-structured, honest book written with an engagingly light touch.

Pub Date: March 10, 1990

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 192

Publisher: Knopf

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Feb. 15, 1990

Categories: CHILDREN'S