First French Kiss: And Other Traumas

by Adam Bagdasarian

Book Overview

Zeroing in on the moments of comic confusion and tender transformation that make up one boy's wild ride through childhood and adolescence, this collection of stories follows Will, a boy with an... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0374323380
• ISBN13: 9780374323387
• Release Date: September 2002
• Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
• Length: 144 Pages
• Weight: 0.72 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.7" x 8.5"
• Age Range: 13 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Grades 8 to 12

Customer Reviews

Short, Simple, and Sweet

A delightful read, I recommend this short novel to anyone who enjoys reading about the young human spirit. First French Kiss is unlike anything I have ever read before. The author describes the true nature and emotion of his memories, tying them together in a complete recollection of what adolescence is all about. Thoroughly descriptive, he writes his memories when he lived them, then analyzes them. His memories consist of tiresome camping, moving to a new home, his relationship among expecting peers, and his lion-hearted father. Bagdasarian does not write in a chronological order. This gives the audience a hint of the author's style and the fashion of how we reminisce - we think of an emotion, then an event that triggered the emotion. This book is called First French Kiss, because the first memory he shares with us is his first kiss with his 6th grade sweetheart. Other than that, there are no more kisses; I think the title had more of a capturing mechanism to it. As soon as I read the title, I wanted to know what it was all about. With witty satire, First French Kiss contains many humorous events and the confusion of growing up. Also touching on the mysteries of life, why things change, and death, this short book also explores the realm of curiosities of a child and young adult. Bagdasarian writes in a very conversational tone, which makes it much more enjoyable. I couldn't help myself from laughing out loud at times. He shows us his childhood; he doesn't tell it. With that said, I believe the author wrote this book because he wants to reach out, relate, and share experiences with us. He wants to tell us that growing up is not easy, and that obstacles will inevitably block us from our destination. He wants to tell us that we're not alone, because everyone is having the same triumphs and dilemmas that we are. We're in it together. That, and passing 9th grade geometry.

at first unorganized, but ties itself together

"First French Kiss and other Traumas..." definitely had its moments. Throughout these excerpts from the writers youth, he tells entertaining stories, but in a random and unorganized style. While reading the book, i was entertained, but at the same time i was puzzled as to why he was choosing which story to tell, and the order he chose to arrange the stories in. However, within the last two stories, the reader engaged me and made me feel like i understood everything he was going through. With the death of his father, the most captivating scenario he described in his memoir to his father was his father vs. him AND his brother in an arm wrestling contest. That scenario captured the relationship he had with his father: the stereotypical (charming none the less) father-son relationship where the father is a big strong man and the son looks up to him. this book will have you make you want to cherish your youth years. it is truley a gem.

Best Book

When I read the first few pages of this book...i loved it! It was so funny and I was sooo looking forward to reading the rest. As I was reading the rest I couldn't put it down. It wasn't just witty. It was written beautifully. I cried so many times. Will is soo sweet in this book. And I loved it! This book makes you think so much. It puts a smile on my face everytime I hear the name will now... Its great. I recomend to anyone

Caley's review

My friends both recommended this book and I really thought it was both funny and amusing (yes...they are different things). This story of a boy's life is full of many anecdotes, some insightful, all funny. I really recommend

The Joys of Teenage Trauma

Adam Bagdasarian offers up several short, wonderful tales of the trails, indecision, fears and strange motivations that make being a teenager such a strange and magical time in anyone's life. Whether you are a teenager going through those times or an adult who can now look back at them in humor, "First French Kiss" is a delightful read. With stories depicting such common problems as social acceptance, camping, and an overactive imagination, the memories just come flooding back. Every reader will find at least one of the short vignettes that will speak directly to them. For me it was the experience of Little League, Going Steady, and, of course, that First French Kiss. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip back to my teenage years and the traumatic (but now humorous) times. A fun read for teenagers and adults.