Ten Commandments for Kissing Gloria Jean

December 23, 2013
A conservative Catholic teen struggles to balance her personal rules for behavior with those of her family and church as she navigates her way through adolescence and eighth grade in this choppy debut novel. Like her best friends, 14-year-old Gloria Jean is curiousâbut a bit confusedâabout boys, dating, and her anticipated first kiss. She's also dealing with the challenges of her newly diagnosed celiac disease, a condition that keeps her from receiving Communion, and the preparations for her Confirmation. Rather than a voice with which readers can connect, Gloria Jean's steady lamentations over her problems and concerns come off as whiny. Supporting characters often serve as stock players that help convey a judgment or message, be it about proper attire for teenage girls, the hormone-driven actions of some teenage boys, dietary restrictions, or a preferred type of music or language used in the liturgy. Unfortunately, Gloria Jean's flashes of personal enlightenment may not be enough to keep readers along for her journey. Information on celiac disease is included at book's end. Ages 12âup.