French Kiss

July 1, 2006
Gr 9 Up -Parisian-born Alexa St. Laurent moved to New Jersey because of her father -s job. She has convinced her boyfriend to fly to Paris for spring break. They fight; Alexa feels that Diego is behaving like a tourist and, insulted, he leaves. She goes to stay with her cousins and calls her estranged friend Holly to join her. Holly is in England with her high school track team for an international meet. Of course, Holly slips away to Paris. She and Alexa have a wonderful time talking, shopping, and eyeing glamorous men. Their friendship back on a steady keel, Holly helps Alexa when Alexa -s much-older male interest proves to be unworthy of her devotion. Sensible, conscientious Holly is an excellent and strong secondary character who endured Alexa -s snubs and maintained a sense of her own self-worth when her friend deserted her for the in-crowd. Friedman skillfully depicts teenage bravado and fearlessness balanced against a lack of worldly ways and knowledge. A charming story of friendship and growing up." -Alice DiNizo, Plainfield Public Schools, NJ"

Copyright 2006 School Library Journal, LLC Used with permission.