Kissing in America
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Sweet, funny coming-of-age story about all kinds of love.
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What's the Story?
Sixteen-year-old Eva falls for Will, captain of the high school swim team, as the two get to know each other and bond over dealing with loss in their families. But as soon as things get real with Will, he has to move all the way across the country to California. Eva enters her best friend Annie in a TV quiz show, and the two set out by bus from New York City to the show's taping in Burbank. Eva is determined to see Will again and find out once and for all whether what they started in New York has staying power.
Is It Any Good?
This is a sweet, funny coming-of-age story. Author Margo Rabb takes on a lot -- grief, love, friendship, family, and more -- and handles it all with grace and wit thanks to the rock-solid voice of her engaging narrator Eva. Teens will learn a lot about what life has to offer, how to keep going through hard times, and about the many kinds of love they'll encounter in their lives.
Eva's voice propels the story at a good pace, seamlessly intertwining the many directions a teen's life can get pulled, and keeps the pages turning as readers root for her. Universal themes; a colorful, varied cast of characters; and inclusion of a wide range of moving poetry make KISSING IN AMERICA a great choice for a mother-daughter read-along.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about Eva's obsession with romance novels. Why does she love them so much? Do they affect her relationship with Will? How?
Eva says that no one writes epic books about mother and daughter love. Do you agree? Why do you think that might be?
Eva and her mother grieve for Eva's father in very different ways. Is there a right way to grieve? How can families coping with loss support each other through tough times?
Book Details
- Author: Margo Rabb
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Adventures , Friendship , High School
- Book type: Fiction
- Publication date: May 26, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 400
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: December 13, 2018
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