Kiss of Death (Read On) - Softcover

Rai, Bali

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0007464878 ISBN 13: 9780007464876

Publisher: Collins Educational, 2014

Synopsis

I drop my bag of chips and run. I can hear them, shouting after me. Telling me to stop. Four of them – all older than me, all of them angry.

Are you wondering who they are, the people chasing me? Easy. They’re my girlfriend’s brothers …

Joey only wanted a kiss. He’d been seeing Ria – the fittest girl in year ten – for four months, seeing her in secret because her family wouldn’t approve.

When someone sees them together, Joey knows he’s in trouble. Big trouble. Soon, a simple trip to the chippy turns into a life and death chase. And that kiss, that one, little peck, might turn out to be the kiss that kills him…

•Help Key Stage 3 students move from Level 3a to Level 4c in reading.
•Support comprehension with the age-appropriate graphic-novel-style illustrations.
•Encourage shared and guided reading using the ready-made tasks and discussion points on the activity pages at the back of the book.
• Suitable for Key Stage 3 students with a reading age of 9 years and 6 months.

About this title

About the Author

Bali Rai writes modern British teen dramas, and has had over 30 books published. If he wasn't a writer, he'd most like to be Bob Marley. He'd also like hair and a baby daughter who doesn't puke on him quite so much. His books have won numerous awards and he regularly visits schools across the UK.

Review

"Students loved the fast pace of the story line, the realistic language, the very shocking narrative, the terrific use of colloquial language and also the great use of phone conversations. The questions at end of chapters really hook the students in to continue reading and the dual narrative is great way of exploring the different perspectives. Both lead characters are very strong: very well drawn and sympathetically written. The students were able to make a very personal response. They were able to talk about different views on traditional upbringings. The ending caused the group to discuss, at the tops of their voices, what they would have done in that situation." Fiona Dyson, SENCO at Southfields Academy, London "Overall, the response to the book was very positive: students felt that the book held their attention and that the text had a strong plot. They felt that the text was interesting and that the subject matter was different to other texts and their responses suggested that they had enjoyed the more adult content. One student stated that the text dealt with a `proper subject'. They also responded well to the tension and suspense. The story offered opportunity for students to read fluently but also language to extend and challenge their vocabulary. The content provides a fantastic opportunity to explore diversity in society and also question stereotypes. I would also be tempted to use this text as an introduction to `Romeo and Juliet', to introduce the concept of a secret relationships and a family being against a relationship, and to explore the relevance of Shakespeare." Kerry Smith, English teacher at St Mary's College, Hull "This is a good story with a bit of edge and a very interesting dilemma. The students liked the aggressive, confrontational dialogue in places. Very good illustrations: moody and street. The best book in the series." Paul Blum, SENCO at Parkview Academy, Haringey, London

Edition details

• Publisher: Collins Educational
• Publication date: 2014
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0007464878
• ISBN 13: 9780007464876
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 48
• Editor: Gibbons Alan, Packer Natalie