Kiss Number 8
Cover of Kiss Number 8
AuthorColleen AF Venable
LanguageEnglish
GenreYoung adult fiction, Romance
PublisherFirst Second
Publication date
March 12, 2019
ISBN9781596437098

Kiss Number 8 is a 2019 graphic novel written by Colleen A. F. Venable, illustrated by Ellen T. Crenshaw, and published by First Second Books. In 2019, the novel was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.[1][2] The following year, it was a finalist for an Eisner Award[3][4] and Prism Award.[5]

The novel follows the protagonist's experiences through a series of horrible kisses and humorously explores her sexuality, family, and faith.

Reception

Reviews

Kiss Number 8 received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly, who respectively called the novel a "rare blend of tender and revolutionary"[6] and a "queer coming-of-age story that earns its powerful emotional impact."[7]

The New York Times's Jen Doll wrote, "Venable’s frequently heartbreaking recollection of the abuse and torment that people went through for being 'different' — and the fact that it still happens all too frequently — is a powerful reminder of how far we still have to go."[8]

School Library Journal called the book "though-provoking" and a "solid addition to YA shelves."[9]

Awards and honors

In 2019, the New York Public Library included Kiss Number 8 on its list of the best books for teens published that year. The following year, the book was included on the Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List[10] and the TAYSHAS Reading List.[11]

Year Award Result Ref.
2019 National Book Award for Young People's Literature Longlist [1][2]
2020 Eisner Award for Best Publication for Teens Finalist [3][4]
2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top 10 [12][13]
2020 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Top 10 [14][15]
2020 Prism Award for Mainstream Publisher Finalist [5]

Controversy

In the summer of 2021, at a Leander Independent School District board meeting, a parent complained about In the Dream House, a memoir by Carmen Maria Machado, which led to a review of all the books on the district's Language Arts Reading List. Eight books, including Kiss Number 8, were ultimately removed.[16]

In August 2022, 62% of Jamestown Charter Township residents voted to defund their public library system after librarians refused to remove three books from the library's shelves: Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe, Kiss Number 8, and Spinning by Tillie Walden.[17] Community activists claimed that the presence of these books in the library's young adult and adult sections meant the library was trying to "groom" young children.[18] According to Library Board President Larry Walton, without fund renewal, "the library will run out of money in 2023, jeopardizing its existence."[17] Despite not wanting to close the library, Walton has stated that the board refuses to ban the books.[17]

References

  1. 1 2 "Kiss Number 8". National Book Foundation. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  2. 1 2 Ishizuka, Kathy (2019-09-16). "Longlist Announced: 2019 National Book Award for Young People". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  3. 1 2 "2020 Eisner Awards Nominations". Comic-Con International: San Diego. 2020-06-02. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  4. 1 2 "The 2020 Eisner Award Nominations, Reviewed". School Library Journal. 2020-06-05. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  5. 1 2 "The Fourth Annual Prism Awards Will Be Presented Online – Oct 17-18, 2020". Prism Comics. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  6. ↑ "Kiss Number 8". Kirkus Reviews. 2018-12-09. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  7. ↑ "Kiss Number 8 by Colleen AF Venable". Publishers Weekly. 2018-12-24. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  8. ↑ Doll, Jen (2019-05-29). "First Love and Other Investigations". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  9. ↑ Riember, Carla (2019-02-01). "Kiss Number 8". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  10. ↑ "2020 Texas Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List". Austin Public Library. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  11. ↑ "2020 TAYSHAS Reading List". Austin Public Library. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  12. ↑ Lam, Anna (2020-01-02). "YALSA names 2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens". American Library Association. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  13. ↑ NGILBERT (2020-01-02). "2020 Great Graphic Novels for Teens Top Ten". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  14. ↑ NGILBERT (2020-01-07). "2020 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  15. ↑ Lam, Anna (2020-01-08). "YALSA announces 2020 Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers". American Library Association. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  16. ↑ "Intellectual Freedom Updates" (PDF). American Library Association. June 2021. Retrieved 2022-08-09.
  17. 1 2 3 Schaub, Michael (2022-08-05). "Michigan Library Is Defunded Over LGBTQ+ Books". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2022-08-10.
  18. ↑ French, Ron (2022-08-03). "Upset over LGBTQ books, a Michigan town defunds its library in tax vote | Bridge Michigan". Bridge Michigan. Retrieved 2022-08-04.
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