New directions for Wilson, but the classic, loveable characters (Kiss - Jacqueline Wilson)

Member Name: jelibaby

Product:	Kiss - Jacqueline Wilson
Date:	02/08/09 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: A good mix of child and teen dramas, variety of characters, great ending

Disadvantages: Plot os a little predictable in some areas

I love Jacqueline Wilson's books because you know you are going to get a great, heart-warming read. They're easy to follow and have humour, depth, and great understanding of the teen and child mind.

I bought Kiss a year ago and read it on holiday, but re-read it last night in about four hours. I'd bought two Wilson books and got confused with the second, so when I started reading about Sylvie, it came flooding back that I wasn't so keen on this book.

I hate to be too critical as you cannot undermine Wilson's amazing and unique writing style. You don't need to be so lyrical and complicated to write a great book. Her books are just a pleasure to read!

I did enjoy this book more the second time, as the first time I was a little surprised with the story. I don't want to spoil the book but many Dooyoo-ers like plot details so if you don't want to read it, skip a few paragraphs!

In classic Wilson style, the story is told in the 1st person by Sylvie, known as Titch to her classmates. She's just turned a teenager and the book is sprinked with teen angst and thoughts that hit most girls. I love Wilson's books for 'older' readers, i.e. teenagers, the best, and she totally understands how life seems so complicated when you're growing up. This book isn't particularly 'girly' though, and one of the main characters centres around a boy, so male readers would not find this book too alien if they were a Wilson fan.

Sylvie is small for her age, and the story follows her new friendship with a much more controversial and mature girl called Miranda. This in intertwined with the relationship she's had since she was a child- her friendship with her next door neighbour, Carl. A bit I wasn't so keen on was their 'Glassworld'. When they were younger, they played games and pretended they were the King and Queen of Glassworld, and they recorded the story in a book. Carl has a collection of glass ornaments that he collects religiously, and they're all house in the Glass House, i.e. the shed at the bottom of the garden.

The relationship between Carl and Sylvie is strained as they grow older and go to separate schools. Much of the book sees Sylie desparately trying to rekindle their friendship, but Carl is very secretive and thoughful, he seems to do a lot of soul searching.

Miranda almost crashes into the world. She's a rich, priviledged girl who introduced Sylvie to drink and parties at her huge house. She's not snooty, she's confident and fun; a great character. She has a little party and Sylvie brings Carl. Miranda loves Carl and is forever mooning over him, although Sylvie is adament that they are boyfriend and girlfriend, and will have a lifelone friendship. Sylvie and Miranda are such opposites that you dart between Miranda's maturity and Sylvie's innocence.

The major plot is a strange one, because you guess it almost right from the start, but Sylvie seems unaware. Then suddenly, like you, she finally admits she realises the truth. You were under the impression that Sylvie has no idea, so you feel a little disconnected to the character as you must not have known her true thoughts.

There's also a few outside plots. I love the way it's just Sylvie and her Mom, who have a lovely relationship and are content in their little house. Her Mom soon gets an online boyfriend. Wilson has a great talent of weiving in different plots that reflect real life. It's nice to have a character who is a bit poorer than the rest. They have a lodger too, the sweet Miss Miles, who is touching. Carl also has a great family.

I loved Sylvie in this book, but Carl was a strange character to read about. It would be cool to hear a story from his point of view, although reading Sylvie's story was great. Maybe I couldn't connect with the plot as much as some of the other books.

Overall, if you are a Wilson fan, this won't disappoint. The story is unlike things she has some before, so you will enjoy the read- maybe not as much as other stories though.

Summary: Personally not one of my favourites, but still a fab book as Wilson is such a great author!