Kissing Vanessa [Hardcover]

Simon Cheshire (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 2004

THE INSTANT KEVIN Watts sees the new girl he falls head over heels in love. Not only is Vanessa is gorgeous, sophisticated, and intelligent, but she’s also into photography just like Kevin. He’s sure they’d be perfect for each other . . . if it weren’t for one, major glitch. Kevin is “Mr. Background,” upstaged by nearly every one else in school. How can an average guy like Kevin ever hope to win over a girl like Vanessa?

Enter Kevin’s friend Jack, self-professed babe magnet and relationship guru. All Kevin needs to do is follow Jack’s easy tips and Vanessa will be his. But “looking cool to be cool” and “playing hard to get” are harder than they seem. And when every other plan seems to backfire, Kevin has no choice but to take the biggest risk of all. . . .

“Hilarious and totally unpredictable.”—Publishing News (UK)

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10–Told from a 15-year-old boy's point of view, this humorous novel is set in Great Britain. When a beautiful new girl comes to town, it's love at first sight for Kevin. The trouble is, he's not a "babe magnet" like his friend Jack. In fact when it comes to girls, Kev is clueless. Luckily, Jack, who is writing a book on how to attract the opposite sex, is willing to reveal his secrets. While Kev is doubtful at first about following his friend's advice, desperation finally propels him into doing so. Unfortunately, Jack's Girlfriend Management the Easy Waylands Kev in a series of comic situations that make him appear to be dorkier than he really is. Of course, true love wins out in the end. Several qualities set this book apart from the typical teen romance. It glitters with a sarcastic wit that is similar to that found in Louise Rennison's novels. Kev's thoughts and feelings about his situation are so exaggerated that readers will laugh out loud, and they'll find his slightly eccentric sidekick equally funny. This is a fast and fun read.–Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID
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From the Inside Flap

THE INSTANT KEVIN Watts sees the new girl he falls head over heels in love. Not only is Vanessa is gorgeous, sophisticated, and intelligent, but she's also into photography just like Kevin. He's sure they'd be perfect for each other . . . if it weren't for one, major glitch. Kevin is "Mr. Background," upstaged by nearly every one else in school. How can an average guy like Kevin ever hope to win over a girl like Vanessa?

Enter Kevin's friend Jack, self-professed babe magnet and relationship guru. All Kevin needs to do is follow Jack's easy tips and Vanessa will be his. But "looking cool to be cool" and "playing hard to get" are harder than they seem. And when every other plan seems to backfire, Kevin has no choice but to take the biggest risk of all. . . .

"Hilarious and totally unpredictable."—Publishing News (UK)

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 12 and up
  
• Hardcover: 135 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers (October 12, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0385732120
• ISBN-13: 978-0385732123
• Product Dimensions: 6 x 0.6 x 8.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 9.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,010,576 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Simon Cheshire grew up in Warwickshire, England. He was always the quiet kid at the back of the class, and spent a lot of time staring out of the window. From a young age, he was a dedicated reader and would spend many hours absorbed in books, happily dreaming of faraway places, and completely ignoring his mother's cries of "Go out and get some fresh air, for heaven's sake!"

His hobbies include movies, tinkering with old computers and wishing he had more hobbies. He lives in Warwick with his wife and children, although he spends most of his time in a world of his own. His first book appeared in 1997, and since then his books have been published in many countries around the world, and in several languages. He writes in a tiny room that used to be a walk-in cupboard, but which is now crammed with books, pieces of paper and empty chocolate bar wrappers.

Some things you didn't know about Simon Cheshire
* He is allergic to animal hair, dust mites and the word 'incredible'.
* His favourite food is fish. Or possibly chocolate.
* He has no dress sense whatsoever, and usually goes around looking like a mobile rubbish tip.
* His favourite activity is reading late at night, when everyone else is asleep.
* He writes on a laptop computer running Linux Mint, using LibreOffice to write his books, Weebly to maintain his website and PacMan to waste his time.
* He hates gardening, swimming and Christmas.
* He believes in the existence of extra-terrestrials.
* When he was growing up, he wanted to be either an actor or a film director.
* He has travelled in China, India and Egypt and really, really wants to go to the Moon.