
The Kissing Game
Aidan Chambers(Author)
Definitions (Publisher)
Published on 1. March 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
224 pages
978-1-84941-347-3 (ISBN)
Description
United under the banner of flash fiction, this is a collection of stories, or little 'cells', complete in themselves but connected by the overarching themes of betrayal and revenge. All featuring teenagers and often with an unexpected twist, these frighteningly realistic stories will take you to the very edge and beyond.
Reviews / Votes
Here's a rare treat. There is care and quality in all his books, and The Kissing Game is a smart, challenging collection that teenagers may find themselves reluctant to leave -- Patrick Ness * Guardian * Short stories are the perfect vehicle to capture the intensity of emotion experienced by teenagers on the brink of adulthood and there couldn't be a more rewarding and contemporary volume than this . . . Provocative and beautifully written, this little book packs a hefty punch -- Sally Morris * Daily Mail * Chambers has never lost that adolescent vulnerability and openness [so] that, now in his seventies, he still writes stories in which reflective adolescents will surely discover themselves . . . Five stars -- Geoff Fox * Books For Keeps * Aidan Chambers offers thought-provoking short stories for older readers in The Kissing Game. Playful or intriguing, each provides food for thought as he explores the nature of betrayal and revenge - wonderful stuff -- Marilyn Brocklehurst * The Bookseller * Classy, thought-provoking, witty and always provocative -- Jill Murphy * The Bookbag * Witty dialogue and ordinary situations gone awry abound . . . The selections are perfectly readable by middle schoolers, but more meaningful discussion and deeper understanding will only come from teens with more life experience, and there's real potential for possible use in high school English classes -- Rhona Campbell * School Library Journal USA * The variety of experimental formats, including scripts and letters, is refreshing, and teens will want to talk about the recurring themes of betrayal, violence, and shifting identities, and the fleeting moments of connection and mercy that can change a life's course -- Gillian Engberg * Booklist USA * This collection from Chambers could be widely used in classrooms and on writing courses, particularly to inspire flash fiction * Armadillo * Thoughtful, challenging reading for teens on the cusp of adulthood * Kirkus Review USA *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Penguin Random House Children's UK
Target group
Young adult
Interest Age: From 12 to 17 years
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 13 mm
Weight
272 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-84941-347-3 (9781849413473)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
Aidan Chambers was born in County Durham in 1934. After national service in the Royal Navy he became a teacher and then, for seven years, a monk. His young adult novels have been widely acclaimed, with POSTCARDS FROM NO-MAN'S LAND winning the prestigious Carnegie Medal and the US Michael L Printz Award. With his wife Nancy he ran Signal magazine and he has served as the president of the School Library Association. His devoted services to children's literature were recognised by his receipt of the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2002.