The ABC's of Kissing Boys (Paperback)

~ (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

The life of Parker Stanhope, popular junior relegated to the JV soccer team and scorned by her best buds, reads like a mashup of Bend It Like Beckham, Mean Girls, and Can’t Buy Me Love, and will find a happy audience in fans of the same. To win herself a spot on the varsity team, Parker, her pre-law older brother, and his hot best friend concoct a scheme involving a sweet faculty parking spot for the coach and a knock-’em-dead kiss at the Sports Fair’s kissing booth. All Parker has to do is learn how to kiss. Enter Tristan, the lowly freshman across the street with talents he offers to share with Parker in exchange for help elevating his social standing. The plan predictably spins out of control, and Parker falls for Tristan, all the while trying to avoid the backstabbing ways of her former teammates. The lesson of being true to oneself comes across clearly, and readers will be pulling for Parker in this top-dog-turned-underdog story. Grades 8-10. --Heather Booth --This text refers to the Library Binding edition.

Product Description

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 coach.

Tina Ferraro lives in southern California. You can visit her online at www.tinaferraro.com.

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (January 13, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385735820
• ISBN-13: 978-0385735827
• Product Dimensions: 7.9 x 5.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #165,631 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Courtesy of Teens Read Too, February 5, 2009

By	TeensReadToo.com "Eat. Drink. Read. Be Merrier." (All Over the US & Canada) - See all my reviews

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.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Rummel

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Story Siren Reviews:, January 25, 2009

By	The Story Siren "Kristi" (Indiana) - See all my reviews

You know why I love reading Ferraro's novels..? Because when I'm finished I always feel all warm and gooey inside! While I thought this novel was just too cute and fun it also has some depth. Parker not only loses her spot on the soccer field, but also personally, her spot among her "friends." Ferraro expertly captures the essence of an ostracized teen! And I'm glad that Parker was able to experience what true friendship meant, even though it wasn't from the people she wished it had been. What you want is always necessarily what you need, right?

The whole kissing aspect was hilarious and yet ingenious! I find myself wondering where this summer camp was when I was a teen! I don't think I'm an expert kisser or anything, but I thought I knew a thing or two, until this novel opened my eyes to the wild world of kissing. I didn't even know what half of these kisses were. Caterpillar kiss, steam kiss... I mean who came up with this stuff! They are no ordinary kisses! I'll tell you that much.

If your looking for a fun, fast, feel good novel... just think Ferraro!

3.0 out of 5 stars GreenBeanTeenQueen Reviews: [...], July 19, 2009

By	GreenBeanTeenQueen (MO) - See all my reviews

This was a fun, quick, light read. It combines romance and sports and even a bit of mean girls. Parker is great character. I think because she's not a stereotypical jock or a typical girly girl, she'll appeal to a lot of readers.
Tristan is a great guy for Parker-he's smart, funny and confidant. I'm sure he'll be on many lit boy crush lists!:)
Parker does get a little annoying because she doesn't realize how mean her so called friends are, but I am a reader looking in, and Parker has to learn on her own. But that didn't mean there weren't times I wanted to yell at her for even thinking she needed them back!
As someone who dated a younger guy in high school and college and is marrying a guy who is younger and was a year behind in school, I loved how Parker was an older girl going after a younger guy. Now if only all guys could be as mature as Tristan is at 15!!
I think my favorite part of the book was the chapter headings that give various kissing tips. Props to Tina for coming up with a tip for every letter of the alphabet! Overall, this is a fun, simple, sweet story that's a great curl up and read the night away book. Tina Ferraro knows how to write a great romance for all ages and I look forward to what she has next!