Kiss
by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
Interest age: 12 to 14
Reading age: 9+
Published by Corgi Children's, 2008
About this book
One of Wilson's novels for older readers, Kiss considers the problems surrounding the difficulties encountered when childhood friendship develops into adolescent love.
Sylvie and Carl have grown up together and still share a childhood fantasy existence in Carl's garden shed.
Throughout their friendship, Sylvie's unthinking expectation has been that they will marry. However their moves to separate schools, and Carl's growing friendship with Paul, and Sylvie's with the extrovert Miranda, cause a rift.
Carl is driven to the edge by the homophobic bullying he encounters at school, and Sylvie is forced to re-evaluate the places of friendship and love in her life.
Wilson skilfully combines an approachable and involving teenage story with a debate about true friendship, sexual identity and growing up.
About the author
What to read next
We know that children can get hooked on a favourite book series or author and struggle to find something they love as much, but we’re here to help.
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We know it's so easy to get attached to a favourite author, and when their books are as good as Jacqueline Wilson's, it's no surprise that some children feel like they'll never find anything they love as much. But we've got some recommendations about great stories they can try next - and we want to hear your ideas too!
More books like this
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Cookie
by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
9 to 14 years
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Lizzie Zipmouth
by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
5 to 14 years
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Starring Tracy Beaker
by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
5 to 14 years
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The Diamond Girls
by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
9 to 14 years
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The Story of Tracy Beaker
by Jacqueline Wilson, illustrated by Nick Sharratt
5 to 14 years
Lists of recommended reads
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Favourite books about difference, acceptance and bullying for teens
Almost everyone gets bullied at some point in their life - so if this is happening to your child, they are not alone. Here are some books to help teens who may be experiencing bullying or finding it tricky to make friends.
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Teen books with LGBTQ+ characters
Representation is so important, both for teens who are themselves LGBTQ+ and also for others to gain more empathy and understanding. These books for teens all feature lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender characters and relationships.