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This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of coach.
Tina Ferraro lives in southern California. You can visit her online at www.tinaferraro.com.
From the Trade Paperback edition.
Gr 6-10
Parker Stanhope only wants one thing-to be on her school's varsity soccer team with all of her friends. What she actually gets is another year on junior varsity surrounded by freshmen and the brush-off from her so-called friends. In response to this depressing series of events, Parker comes up with a foolproof plan to get back on the team that involves her older brother's friend, an annual carnival, $300, and a kiss that the whole school will see. Along the way she meets Tristan, her cuter than cute neighbor, who, after hearing her desperate situation, offers to give her kissing lessons to make that big final kiss look and seem totally believable. As you'd expect, these "lessons" turn into much more than just a teaching situation. Unfortunately, this story-girl ends up liking the guy she least expected to with some madcap adventures along the way-has been told before. Parker's voice doesn't come across as real; she sounds more like how adults think teenagers would talk instead of how they actually do. For a better "I can't believe I'm falling for this guy!" book, suggest Robin Benway's Audrey, Wait! (Penguin, 2008). An additional purchase for libraries with a well-used chick-lit section.-Traci Glass, Eugene Public Library, OR
Like everyone in the world, I remember adolescence clearly -- and mostly with horror. It’s not the moments of humiliation that haunt me in the middle of the night, but piercing memories of mistakes I made: errors in judgment, ethical missteps, selfish unkindness. I could have been a case study for research proving that adolescent brain development (or the lack thereof) leads to reckless, foolish decisions. So when I decided to read all the 2009 finalist entries in the Young Adult (YA) category for the RITA, romance’s most prestigious prize, I was curious about how realistic they would be. Would these six heroines engage in anything that I -- or at least my memories of myself -- would recognize?
They do. In fact, all of these novels do a brilliant job depicting a young adult’s scrambled thinking and -- even better -- the first sign of the maturity that scientists promise will eventually occur. Here, the road to love is littered with risk-taking behavior.
In three of these stories, the heroines not only make excruciatingly bad decisions, but the consequences of their actions are front and center to the plot -- and those consequences range from humiliation to gunshot wounds. The heroine of Tina Ferraro’s The ABC’s of Kissing Boys doesn’t make it to the varsity soccer team. So Parker comes up with a desperate plan to get on the team that involves paying for a kiss, tricking her way onto the team and…making a fool of herself. Ouch! The mistakes similarly pile up in Lauren Strasnick’s Nothing Like You; the heroine here is sleeping with a popular guy in secret, while she makes friends with his long-time girlfriend. Can you spell Disaster? Neither of these novels flinch from putting their heroines in really dreadful, self-induced situations. I couldn’t stop reading; fascinated horror kept me turning the pages. Ally Carter's Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover showcases a different -- if no less immature -- aspect of the teenage brain. Cammie Morgan is a spy, attending one of the world’s best high schools for that business. At least she’s conscious of what she’s doing wrong: “Did I know it was against the rules? Yes. Did I think it was foolish? Absolutely.” But (sigh) she goes right ahead and does whatever she wants.
If you happen to be a young adult yourself, or you know a young lady who might be interested, you can’t do better than buy these books. As the mother of a tween, I know how hard it can be to find YA books that appeal to a young girl and don’t horrify the woman with a credit card in hand. Far too many books aimed at this age group are little more than candy floss tales of conspicuous consumption. These novels will satisfy both of you.
--Eloisa James
Parker has everything: popularity, friends, style, and now she's a junior in high school. Sixteen is the age when you're supposed to be having the time of your life but how humiliating would it be if you found out you're stuck on the freshman soccer team? Parker hatches a plan to get on the varsity team where her friends are but it's complicated and she needs a boy . to teach her how to kiss. When her so-called "best friend" discovers Parker kissing a freshman, rumors start to spread. Parker finally gets to see her friends from the outside, the way others do, and it's not pretty. Now she has to decide where she truly belongs: with the popular crowd or in the arms of the loveable freshman boy across the street.
The ABC's of Kissing Boys was sweet and enjoyable. Though the moral of the story is a little messy and not the easiest to understand at first, the author never strayed from the plot. The romance seemed so real and I couldn't help but smile at the predictability of the ending. This book has the potential to be a great film! Author Tina Ferraro's writing isn't the best I've read but it was new and different. Have you ever read a book where the girl falls for a younger boy? The narration actually felt like it was coming from a teenage girl. I rated it a 4 was because I couldn't feel any sympathy toward the main character for the situation she was in. Overall, I learned a lot from The ABC's of Kissing Boys. *wink, wink*
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted April 23, 2009
I Also Recommend:
The ABC's of Kissing Boys
By Tina Ferraro
Pub. Date: January 2009
4 out of 5 stars
PG- Graphic Kissing or you could call it "some serious spit swapping"
Recommended
Parker is crushed when she is forced to stay in JV soccer. As a Junior, there is nothing more embarrassing. Well, maybe being dumped by your popular friends and treated like dirt is worse. With the help of her brother, she hatches the slyest, most public plan to gain a spot on Varsity and get her old life back. It all hinges on one simple thing, a kiss. Only problem. Parker doesn't have the kissing knowledge needed. Starbursts and cherries bring her and the Freshman Murphy kid from next door together. Her new kissing instructor grows closer to her, and deep down she sadly knows it could never work. But she can't help but grow fonder and fonder of his calm voice and enchanting blue eyes. His lessons were suppose to be her ticket back to the good life, but will they rather be her downfall?
The ABC's of Kissing Boys was both cute and sad. The plot is deceivingly straightforward. Underneath it though are intricate high school politics that depend on variable emotions.
The story's plausibility made it amazingly real. The emotional roller coasters, gossip speed, hidden politics, sly insults, repentance and forgiveness, the putting off of decision making, and the ongoing internal struggle to do what is right were all present and credible in the different characters. I felt like I should know them from somewhere. This realness effectively had me going through the same emotions as Parker and I grew very attached to her.
The kissing scenes between Parker and Tristan were very intimate and silly though it was, I always blushed and did a quick sweep of the room. Their vulnerability and closeness gave me a slightly guilty feeling for "seeing" it, but I never felt dirty while reading.
The ABC's of Kissing Boys would be a great filler for in between books or great for car travel. This book will delight both tweens and teens.
Date Reviewed: April 19th, 2009
For more book reviews and book information check out my blog at www.inthecurrent.blogspot.com
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 24, 2012
I loved this book and whoever wrote about that sex thing; you're a real creep and you need to get a life!!!!! Other thsn that i loved the book and it was really sweet because the ending was like romeo and juliet except for the dyeing part ad the ending was awesome and makes me want to read the book again!!!!
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 23, 2012
I want to have sex
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted January 4, 2012
It looks interesrinf but im 12 7th gr im not sure if i shuld read it
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.deereadsforfun
Posted April 18, 2011
i loved this book, i will read it again
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Genni
Posted January 16, 2011
Although this book is great and has awesome characters, I could not feel sorry for Parker, the main character. The ending was a bit predictable, though the book is still definitley worth your money.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted December 8, 2010
okay, this book was siply wonderful!! the way she would do anything she could to get what she wants is unbelievable... The truth you find in her friendship and the betrayl you see from her so called friends is just amazing. All the diffrent kinds of kisses and the romeo and juliet feel makes this book very consuming its great for young girls like myself trying to understand friends, and trying to mosey on trough this thing we call life. It helps you understand how to deal with social coolness and fitting in its great(:
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.StephanieHale
Posted March 20, 2009
This is an adorable book that you will only put down to practice some of the kissing tips!
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Parker's life is over.
She failed to make the varsity soccer team and now her friends are drifting further and further away, until her social life is nonexistent.
But she's not taking this lying down. She's come up with a foolproof plan to regain both her spot on the soccer field and also her former BFFs.
She's going to pay the hottest guy in town to kiss her at the annual sports fair. His only condition - the kiss has to look real.
Parker's never been kissed, but she makes a deal with her neighbor. Even though he's just a freshman, Parker knows that he might be her only hope. However, if the rest of the school finds out, her chance at redemption might be over before it begins.
With THE ABC'S OF KISSING BOYS, Parker learns the true meaning of friendship and love, as well as her own strength, in this delightful romantic tale.
0 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Tina Ferraro¿s latest novel is quite clearly fabulous. It is lightly captivating, particularly in exploring the unusual relationship between Parker and her freshman neighbor and kiss expert, Tristan. I loved Tristan¿s handling of the situation, and Parker¿s reactions toward Tristan. Not only does this book explore romance, but it also explores friendship as Parker learns who her true friends are. The ABCs for Kissing Boys is perfect for relieving stress related headaches or for homework breaks. It¿s an easy read that doesn¿t give a reader the feeling that they are lowering their IQ.
The ABCs of Kissing Boys is a pleasure read and a book for those who would like to take a minute just to read for fun. I realize that there are a lot of light, fun books out there to choose from. If you¿re looking within this genre, The ABCs of Kissing Boys would make a wonderful choice: it is top quality fun and is now ranked as one of my favorite pleasure reads.
A Not So Closet Geek Review by
~bella aire~
This book was sooo cute! I'll admit, at first I thought, "hmm is it gonna be one of those books that's super predictable?" but thank goodness I was wrong. It was nothing like I thought it would be and I really enjoyed it.
Parker is a junior who loves soccer and this year she unfortunately did not make it into varsity with the rest of her junior "friends". She and her brother Clayton have come up with the Plan that will hopefully get her back on varsity. This plan includes a hot guy called Luke and a kissing booth, wonder what's gonna happen..... :D
I thought Parker and Tristan's relationship was so freaking adorable! I'll miss them :( I really liked how Tina Ferraro did this creative thing with her chapter titles, some of them made me giggle quite a bit. :D This book is a nice, cute, funny (man there's some jokes in there that will make you laugh out loud), short read that many will find enjoyable.
-tvandbookaddict
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Posted September 17, 2010
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Overview
Parker Stanhope has played soccer practically since she could walk. And now that she’s a high school junior, everything she’s worked for is finally coming together. She’s paid her dues on the field, and as an upperclassman, she’s a shoo-in for the varsity team. But that’s not what happens.This year, Coach Hartley moved up every JV player but two—and one of those two was Parker. Now, she’s stuck with the freshmen, her friends are cutting her loose, and her love of the game is seriously beginning to fail. But Parker is determined to get her life back. She has to get on the varsity team, and she has the perfect plan. All she needs now is the right kind of ...