THE KISSING DIARY

These days, a last name of Goldglitt is the least of 12-year-old Rosie’s problems. Figuring out the dos and don’ts of boyfriend behavior, a first real kiss and tolerating Mary Katz’s evil and derogatory public comments cause Rosie much mental anguish. Add in her parent’s divorce, mother’s new male friend and grandfather’s imminent Alzheimer’s and Rosie is headed for a tumultuous emotional and physical climax that lands her in school detention with barely a friend left in her support. Caseley spins a believable tween lifestyle full of complicated bumps and cracks along an uphill road of emerging adolescent issues. Voices alternating between a narrator and Rosie herself through her chapter diary entries provide a personal perspective. Rosie’s budding romantic notions together with her more pressing concerns lay a foundation for a serious message that while verbal bullying can be ignored, physical violence is never acceptable. More importantly, Caseley allows her protagonist to learn from her mistakes and develop newfound confidence through her relationship with peers. Will ring true with the female tween crowd in today’s complicated world. (Fiction. 10-13)