For teens grappling with big questions about identity, family secrets, and first love, this graphic novel explores finding your authentic self and community.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the confusing, exciting, and sometimes scary world of first crushes and self-identity, especially if they are questioning who they are attracted to. Kiss Number 8 follows high schooler Mads, who is trying to make sense of her feelings after an unexpected kiss with her best friend, a girl. Her personal journey runs parallel to the discovery of a long-held family secret that changes how she sees her parents and her own place in the world. This gentle graphic novel is a wonderful choice for teens grappling with identity, family dynamics, and the complexities of love and friendship. It provides positive representation and a starting point for conversations about acceptance.
Occasional mild language typical of teenage dialogue.
Sensitive Topics
The book's core themes are LGBTQ+ identity and acceptance. It directly addresses a character's journey of questioning her sexuality (bisexuality is implied) and the revelation that a close family member is transgender. The approach is secular and character-focused. The resolution is hopeful and realistic: Mads finds support from her parents and a new community, but also faces rejection from her grandfather and confusion from her friend. It acknowledges that the path to acceptance isn't always smooth but is worth taking.
Ideal Reader
A teen (14-17) who is questioning their own identity or feels like their experience doesn't fit into a neat box. It's perfect for a reader who enjoys realistic fiction, mysteries, and character-driven stories, and who might be looking for gentle, affirming LGBTQ+ representation that focuses on the journey of discovery rather than trauma.
Parent Prep
Parents should be prepared for conversations about bisexuality, pansexuality, and transgender identity. The reveal that Mads's father is a trans man is a pivotal plot point. A parent might want to preview the scenes depicting the grandfather's rejection and the father's explanation of his past. The book stands on its own, but it will likely prompt questions and is best read when a parent is ready to have an open, nonjudgmental conversation. The parent's teen says something like, "I'm confused about my feelings for someone," or "I feel like there are things you don't tell me about our family." The parent might notice their child seems withdrawn or is searching for stories about kids who are "different."
Age Experience
A younger teen (13-14) will likely focus on the central mystery, the friendship dynamics, and the romance. An older teen (15-18) will connect more deeply with the nuances of Mads’s internal identity struggle, the historical context of her father's experience, and the commentary on generational differences in acceptance.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many coming-out stories that focus solely on the individual's present-day struggle, this book uniquely links the protagonist's journey to a hidden queer family history. This intergenerational connection normalizes her experience, showing that her identity isn't an isolated event but part of a continuing story. The black, white, and gray-pink art style beautifully conveys the emotional tone.
Read plot summary
High schooler Amanda, known as Mads, has a reputation for her string of kisses with boys. But after an unplanned kiss with her female best friend, Cat, she begins to question her feelings and identity. While navigating this confusion and the subsequent fallout with Cat, Mads uncovers a box of old family letters. This leads her to a major family secret about her father's past that directly parallels her own journey of self-discovery, forcing her to redefine her understanding of her family, her friendships, and herself.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Mads learns a big secret about her dad's past. How does discovering his story help her understand her own feelings and identity?
2
The title of the book is 'Kiss Number 8'. Why do you think that specific kiss was the most important one for Mads's story?
3
Cat and Mads's friendship goes through some difficult changes after their kiss. Why do you think Cat reacted the way she did? Do you think her feelings were understandable?
4
Mads’s dad and grandfather had very different ideas about how to handle the family secret. Why do you think people in families keep secrets, and what were the consequences of this one?
