title: Kissing Vanessa
author:  Simon Cheshire 
description: Grade 6-10Told 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 <i>Girlfriend Management the Easy Way</i>lands 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.<i>Catherine Ensley, Latah County Free Library District, Moscow, ID</i> <br />Copyright  Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
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  KISSING THE VISCOUNT
  
  “I am not a child!” Cynthia screamed, pushing with all her might at his hands.
  
  Nick’s fingers flexed and tightened. “You’re childish enough to do something
  stupidly reckless, so I’d say you’re childish enough to be turned over my
  knee.”
  
  “You just try it.”
  
  His gaze flicked to her straining arms. When he spoke again, he leaned close,
  his voice dropping to stroke over her skin. “You think I wouldn’t?”
  
  Nick’s eyes narrowed. He looked at his right hand as it slowly tightened to a
  vise on her wrist.
  
  “Nick…”
  
  His gaze slid to her lips. And then his mouth descended.
  
  For a brief moment she didn’t understand what part this played in their
  argument. And then her body reported to her mind what was really happening.
  Nick was kissing her. Just as she’d hoped. Oh, sweet mercy…
  
  She’d imagined this a thousand times and a thousand more. She’d thought Nick’s
  lips would brush softly, a gentle taste, a breath of love across her cheek.
  She’d never once consider