SUBSCRIBE
SUBSCRIBE
SLJ Blog Network +
  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal: A Mock Newbery Blog
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn
  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • About/Contact
  • Previews
  • Reviews
  • Manga
  • All Ages
  • Young Adult
  • Interviews
  • News

February 3, 2023 by Johanna

Kiss Number 8 | Review

February 3, 2023 by Johanna   Leave a Comment

Kiss Number 8 cover

Kiss Number 8
written by Colleen AF Venable, illustrated by Ellen T. Crenshaw
First Second, $24.99 (hardcover), $17.99 (paperback)
Ages 14-18

We not only live in changing times, but we live in quickly changing times. Kiss Number 8 came out in 2019, and as the story of a girl realizing she’s gay, complicated by the unspoken family history she discovers, it already feels a little like a period piece. (Not enough of one, though, given current events.)

To be fair, the author’s interview in the back makes that point as well, based on how long the book took to write and draw; plus, it’s set in 2004. Mads is a Catholic girl. Her friends are Cat (the wild one, who sneaks out and messes around with boys) and Laura (the quiet one), whose brother Adam has a crush on Mads.

SCROLL TO KEEP READING THIS POST

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

Mads is beginning to realize she’d rather kiss Cat than Adam, which isn’t accepted by her family, particularly given how harsh her grandfather is and was to her father. Mads also discovers a relative she’s never heard of, an early trans person with a hidden history. Cat does introduce her to a more diverse group of musicians, though, and their friendship is helpful.

This is a complex story with well-developed characters, both textually and visually, as well as a ton of detail about how family relationships work with a religious background. That’s not the only reason for difficult choices, though. Sometimes, it’s abuse under the claim of love, or lies people tell out of good intentions or fear of change. Here, the beloved parent reacts badly, and the one who’s always annoying ends up supportive. That reflects how our impressions can change as we grow up.

By making this fiction, Mads’ struggle can be explored in more depth, with nuanced representation of the complexity of feelings and relationships and expectations. With its layers and emotional verisimilitude, Kiss Number 8 is a lengthy and rewarding read, a true modern masterpiece.

Filed under: Graphic Novels, Reviews, Young Adult

SHARE:

Read or Leave Comments
Colleen AF VenableEllen T. CrenshawFirst SecondFirst Second BooksKiss Number 8

About Johanna

Johanna Draper Carlson has been reviewing comics for over 20 years. She manages ComicsWorthReading.com, the longest-running independent review site online that covers all genres of comic books, graphic novels, and manga. She has an MA in popular culture, studying online fandom, and was previously, among many other things, webmaster for DC Comics. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Posts

February 2023

Insomniacs After School, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

January 2023

My Sister, the Cat, vol. 1 | Review

by Johanna

December 2022

Heartstopper Volumes 1 and 2 | Review

by Johanna

December 2022

Ride On | Review

by Johanna

December 2022

Besties Work It Out and Besties Find Their Groove | Review

by Johanna

ADVERTISEMENT

SLJ Blog Network

100 Scope Notes

2023 Books from Pura Belpré Winners

by Travis Jonker

A Fuse #8 Production

Newbery / Caldecott 2024: Spring Prediction Edition

by Betsy Bird

Good Comics for Kids

Pardalita | Preview

by Brigid Alverson

Heavy Medal

March suggestions: early Mock Newbery possibilities

by Emily Mroczek-Bayci

Teen Librarian Toolbox

Why Teens Should Read Hard History, a guest post by Lesley Younge

by Amanda MacGregor

The Classroom Bookshelf

The Classroom Bookshelf is Moving

by Erika Thulin Dawes

The Yarn

Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey Try Something New

by Travis Jonker

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles on SLJ

First Second Launches History Comics | Stellar Panels

First-Person Graphic Memoirs: 17 Recommended Titles

SLJ Debuts New Column “Mondo Manga”

Marvel, Scholastic To Launch New Line of Graphic Novels for Young Readers

15 Returning Faces for Graphic Novels Shelves | Series Update

Commenting for all posts is disabled after 30 days.

ADVERTISEMENT

Archives

Follow This Blog

Enter your email address below to receive notifications of new blog posts by email.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

This coverage is free for all visitors. Your support makes this possible.

Primary Sidebar

  • News & Features
  • Reviews+
  • Technology
  • School Libraries
  • Public Libraries
  • Age Level
  • Ideas
  • Blogs
  • Classroom
  • Diversity
  • People
  • Job Zone

Reviews+

  • Book Lists
  • Best Books
  • Media
  • Reference
  • Series Made Simple
  • Tech
  • Review for SLJ
  • Review Submissions

SLJ Blog Network

  • 100 Scope Notes
  • A Fuse #8 Production
  • Good Comics for Kids
  • Heavy Medal
  • Neverending Search
  • Teen Librarian Toolbox
  • The Classroom Bookshelf
  • The Yarn

Resources

  • 2022 Youth Media Awards
  • The Newbery at 100: SLJ Celebrates the 100th Anniversary of the Award
  • Special Report | School Libraries 2021
  • Summer Reading 2021
  • Series Made Simple Spring 2021
  • SLJ Diverse Books Survey
  • Summer Programming Survey
  • Research
  • White Papers / Case Studies
  • School Librarian of the Year
  • Mathical Book Prize Collection Development Awards
  • Librarian/Teacher Collaboration Award

Events & PD

  • In-Person Events
  • Online Courses
  • Virtual Events
  • Webcasts
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Subscribe
  • Media Inquiries
  • Newsletter Sign Up
  • Content Submissions
  • Data Privacy
  • Terms of Use
  • Terms of Sale
  • FAQs
  • Diversity Policy
  • Careers at MSI


COPYRIGHT © 2023


COPYRIGHT © 2023