Who I Kissed

Gr 8 Up—It's a fresh start for competitive swimmer Samantha as she leaves untrue rumors that she is gay behind and enters a new high school. At her friend Taylor's party, she flirts with Alex to make Zee, the boy she really likes, jealous. The flirting leads to a kiss, and suddenly Alex can't breathe. The paramedics' arrival is shockingly too late to save him. Soon Sam learns of his severe peanut allergy-and realizes she ate a peanut-butter sandwich before leaving for the party. Sam becomes the victim of merciless taunting as the "peanut butter killer." She sinks into depression, refuses to swim, and has an essentially empty relationship with Casper, with whom she has her first sexual experience, attempting to alleviate painful guilt before realizing that he is romantically involved with other girls. Little by little, with the help of her quirky Aunt Allie, a helpful therapist, and even Zee, Sam comes to terms with Alex's death. She moves beyond her mistake with Casper and starts to swim again. She also confronts her father and discovers the truth about her mother's death, which has haunted her for years. Autopsy results ultimately reveal the real truth behind Alex's death, but Sam still steps up to fight for food-allergy awareness. Readers able to bypass the rather excessive maltreatment Sam receives after what truly is an accident will be immersed in her unique and disconcerting situation and will be absorbed in her struggle for personal redemption, self-acceptance, and hope.Diane P. Tuccillo, Poudre River Public Library District, CO