Kiss and Tell by Adib Khorram
Penguin Young Readers Group
Publication Date: March 22, 2022
ISBN: 9780593325261
Hunter is a member of the internationally beloved boy band Kiss and Tell, on their first North American tour. He’s also the only queer member of the band, and going through his first breakup. A messy, public breakup, after his ex posts their texts online. As if that’s not enough, he’s contending with The Label creating and controlling his image of the perfect queer teen role model, and a budding romance with another musician on the tour. Homophobia is present in the text, though never condoned.
This engaging and thoughtful read is as much an exploration of queer identity as it is a boy band romance. It’s as swoony as one would hope and as thoughtful as Khorram’s earlier books. Hunter’s journey is more focused on his identity and managing the expectations of queer fame than on the romance.
Give Kiss and Tell to fans of Meil Moreland’s It Goes Like This, If This Gets Out by Cale Dietrich and Sophie Gonzales and Leah Johnson’s books.
-Abby Lance
Other Nominated Titles:
- Lakelore by Anna-Marie McLemore
- You’d Be Home Now by Kathleen Glasglow
- Ain’t Burned All The Bright by Jason Reynolds
The Selected Lists teams read throughout the year in search of the best titles published in their respective categories. Once a book is suggested (either internally or through the title suggestion form), it must pass through a review process to be designated an official nomination.
Each week, the teams feature a review of one of the officially nominated titles. Additional titles to receive this designation are listed as well. At year’s end, the team will curate a final list from all nominated titles and select a Top Ten.