Name: Cat's review of Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson
Item: Kiss
Rating: 3
Author: Cat

Jacqueline Wilson

Sylvie and Carl have been friends since they were tiny children. They've always played together, eaten meals with each other's families, called each other boyfriend and girlfriend . . . and deep down, Sylvie has always believed that they'd end up married to each other. They even have a magical fantasy world that belongs to them alone - as does the Glass Hut where it's all created, at the bottom of Carl's garden. But as they become teenagers, things begin to change. They go to different schools and have different friends. Slyvie still wishes she could spend all her time with Carl. But Carl has a new friend, Paul, who is taking all his attention. Carl seems much less happy to be called Sylvie#s boyfriend and in a game of spin the bottle, he avoids kissing her. Sylvie can tell his feelings have changed and that her plans for the future may be affected. But can she guess at the true reasons behind it all? For teenage readers, this is a moving, compelling and delicately handled treatment of first love and first heartbreak from the best-selling, award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.

Kiss

Megan Street

** spoiler alert **
           this is probably my third? fourth? time reading this especially because my family owned a physical copy of this and i would periodically raid the shelves for something to read. and this is the first time i've read this in quite a few years, and the first time i've read this as someone who's in the lgbt+ community. i will say that i saw hints of carl's sexuality earlier on, and i connect with carl more? and also i'm just like, i didn't realise these characters are meant to be 13/14. why are they so obsessed with kissing and sex and drinking? (i just realized this book is called kiss haha oh my god i think that's also bc throughout the book kissing is an important thing both to sylvie, as a testament of her relationship with carl, and carl, especially him admitting he wants to kiss paul.) it's probably a culture thing haha but oh well. 13/14 just seems so young to me (i'm currently 18).
i read another review that said it wasn't handled well, especially how the girls kept making everything about them (even sylvie yes) and i have to say i agree. while i understand, because sylvie grew up believing that she and carl were meant to be, i wish miss jacqueline wilson could have given us an lbgt+ protagonist/narrator sooner; it makes sense for this book to revolve around how sylvie feels because she is the narrator and the main character, but in a sense she kind of objectifies carl? i like that miranda is supportive of carl (even though she's hellbent hoping that it's just a phase and carl would like her). i do think that just because miranda, this girl that carl's peers probably have a wank to, kissed carl in front of everyone else, doesn't mean the homophobic bullying goes away. doesn't mean carl won't have to face homophobia all around, even from his dad going "it's just a phase". well if 13-year-olds can be heterosexual then they can also be any other orientation, mick. pfft. 
i still haven't read simon vs the homo sapien agenda yet, but could simon vs be considered a similar story from this perspective? hmm. much to think about. 
i'm just rambling on and on now but i am somewhat glad i decided to reread this book, especially with this new perspective i now have. it's quite a bittersweet feeling, really, but i do applaud jacqueline wilson for writing this.

Calista

Sylvie and Carl have been friends since they were tiny children. They've always played together, called each other boyfriend and girlfriend and, deep down, Sylvie has always believed that they'd end up married to each other. They even have a a magical fantasy world that belongs to them alone. But as they become older, things are starting to change. Sylvie would still rather spend all her time with Carl - but Carl has a new friend, Paul, who is taking all his attention. Now, Carl seems much less happy to be called Sylvie's boyfriend - and in a game of spin the bottle, he avoids having to kiss her. Sylvie can tell his feelings have changed and that their future together might not be so clear-cut after all. But can she guess at the true reasons behind it all? Touching and compelling, Kissis a delicately handled coming-of-age tale of first love by award-winning Jacqueline Wilson.

Megan Street &
Kiss by Jacqueline Wilson

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