From School Library Journal
Grade 6-9-Cathy Hopkins's second title in the series (Simon Pulse, 2003) about three 14-year-old friends who live in London takes place in the weeks leading up to Christmas and is told through the eyes of Izzie, a cosmically aware, vegetarian songwriter. While shopping in the mall for essential oils as a holiday gift for her friends, Lucy and Nesta, Izzie meets Mark and develops her first instant crush. Cathy Hopkins brings excitement, tension, and a strong dose of girl empowerment into Izzie's constant waiting for Mark to call. Ultimately, care from supportive parents and intervention by her friends help Izzie see that she shouldn't be putting her life on hold for a boy she hardly knows. Amanda Hulme, Australian theatre actress, provides an age-appropriate voice for Izzie, who is both bold and doubt ridden. Her excellent narration is crisp and fun and will certainly have teen appeal. The British slang can be easily understood in context.
Cosmic Kisses stands on its own, and it's not necessary for listeners to be familiar with the first title in the series,
Mates, Dates, and Inflatable Bras (May 2005, p. 67). For fans of Jacqueline Wilson, Louise Rennison, and Sue Limb.-
Jo-Ann Carhart, East Islip Public Library, NY Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
--This text refers to the
Audio CD
edition.
Reviewed with Cathy Hopkins'
Mates, Dates, and Inflatable Bras.
Gr. 6-10. These two titles join the recent British invasion of funny, on-the-mark novels that read like a junior Bridget Jones' Diary. Centered on a trio of high-school friends, each book is told from a different character's point of view. Cosmic Kisses is Izzy's story, and she describes her first painful obsession over a boy. Luckily, her concerned pals are waiting when she comes to her senses, and she moves on. Inflatable Bras is narrated by Lucy, who, at 14, feels flat-chested and immature in comparison to Izzy and Nesta, her two gorgeous best friends. A what-do-you-want-to-be-when-you-grow-up assignment exacerbates Lucy's identity crisis, but she finds direction and confidence (and even a cute guy) when her friends encourage her sewing talents and fashion flair. Both novels fly along with pitch-perfect details and slapstick humor that is deepened by sharp insights into real issues: friendship, insecurities, growing independence, and family conflict. Teen girls will devour these whole; they'll easily see themselves in each girl's struggle. Gillian Engberg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.
