HOOK UP - by Kim Firmston
published by Lorimer SideStreets
Click here to order Hook Up
Cody Manywounds's intentions are good, but it seems that every time he makes one little mistake, he gets caught. He got into some serious trouble with his friends a while ago, but since then, things have been looking up - his grades are good, his girlfriend is hot, and the escape to university (and more girls) is just around the corner. Then it all comes crashing down with a single text message, and he finds himself dealing with conflicting emotions - and discovers how little a say he is given in the matter.
Awards
Commended - Best Books for Kids & Teens -- Canadian Children's Book Centre - 2012 Commended - One of the Year's Best for 2012 -- Resource Links - 2012
Reviews for Hook Up
Hook Up made the list for the Best Books for Kids and Teens 2012 put out by the Canadian Children’s Book Centre.
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
- Joan Marshall, a Winnipeg, MB, bookseller in the Manitoba Library Association's reviews. To see the full review go here:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol19/no4/hookup.html
"Hook Up is powerful, well written, and suspenseful with characters that are appealing, convincing and complex."
- Christine McFarlane, book reviewer for First Perspective, Canada's source for news about indigenous people. To see the full review go here: http://www.firstperspective.ca/component/content/article/38-christines-corner/2034-book-review-hook-up Same review - different place: http://www.ammsa.com/publications/windspeaker/teenagers-learn-about-life-hard-way-book-review
(excerpt) “A powerful portrayal of the impact that having sex can have on a relationship. Teens will appreciate Firmston's honesty and use of realistic language... confronts aboriginal stereotypes with skill and insight." Rated G-E, Good to Excellent!
- Resource Links magazine
As well, the magazine has selected Hook Up as One of the Year’s Best for 2012!
"HIGHLY RECOMMENDED"
- Joan Marshall, a Winnipeg, MB, bookseller in the Manitoba Library Association's reviews. To see the full review go here:
http://www.umanitoba.ca/cm/vol19/no4/hookup.html
"Hook Up is powerful, well written, and suspenseful with characters that are appealing, convincing and complex."
- Christine McFarlane, book reviewer for First Perspective, Canada's source for news about indigenous people. To see the full review go here: http://www.firstperspective.ca/component/content/article/38-christines-corner/2034-book-review-hook-up Same review - different place: http://www.ammsa.com/publications/windspeaker/teenagers-learn-about-life-hard-way-book-review
(excerpt) “A powerful portrayal of the impact that having sex can have on a relationship. Teens will appreciate Firmston's honesty and use of realistic language... confronts aboriginal stereotypes with skill and insight." Rated G-E, Good to Excellent!
- Resource Links magazine
As well, the magazine has selected Hook Up as One of the Year’s Best for 2012!
An excerpt from Hook Up
Miranda nestles her head against my chest as someone on the screen spins and laughs, flower petals flying. I’m really not following this plot. It doesn’t seem like she is either. Her fingers move up and under my shirt, feeling my stomach. I tense my muscles, trying to make them seem more ripped.
“Can I see?” Miranda asks with a devilish grin.
I lift my Tapout shirt to show my washboard abs. She runs her fingertips over them. I have to work hard not to squirm, it tickles so badly. But cool guys do not squirm. Or giggle. And I’m really trying to be cool.
“You’re so sexy,” she says.
Blood courses through every part of my body, pounding my veins like a punching bag. I’m about to combust. I decide to go for it. “Your turn. Let me see.”
Steeling myself for a smack across the face, I’m happy when instead Miranda grabs the bottom of her t-shirt and lifts it to reveal her lacy bra. I dart a look through the window. The parking lot is still empty. I run my fingers over her belly button ring, its diamond glinting in the yellow-orange of sunset, then continue to the top button of her jeans. Stop. Look up. I try to keep my eyes kind of unfocused and hazy, like the guys on reality shows do when they’re coming on to a girl.
“Are you going to be sick?” she asks.
“Uh . . .” I stammer, refocusing my eyes. “No, I’m fine.” So much for TV as sex ed. “Do you want to . . . you know —”
“Make out?” Miranda finishes for me. “Oh yeah.”
We kiss for a while, Miranda’s fingers undoing the button of my jeans and loosening the zipper. After that, things move pretty fast. We’re both naked and breathing hard.
“We have to stop,” Miranda pants, “unless you have something.”
“Hang on.” I fish around in the mound of clothes and find my jeans. In the back pocket is my wallet. Inside is the condom my sister, Stella, put in my Christmas stocking as a joke. Mom didn’t think it was that funny. But like Stella said, I was going to be doing it eventually and I may as well be prepared. I’m glad for her sisterly concern. She must have known I used my last condom right before Carly Yellow Horse’s dad chased me across the field at the Christmas Powwow.
“Can I see?” Miranda asks with a devilish grin.
I lift my Tapout shirt to show my washboard abs. She runs her fingertips over them. I have to work hard not to squirm, it tickles so badly. But cool guys do not squirm. Or giggle. And I’m really trying to be cool.
“You’re so sexy,” she says.
Blood courses through every part of my body, pounding my veins like a punching bag. I’m about to combust. I decide to go for it. “Your turn. Let me see.”
Steeling myself for a smack across the face, I’m happy when instead Miranda grabs the bottom of her t-shirt and lifts it to reveal her lacy bra. I dart a look through the window. The parking lot is still empty. I run my fingers over her belly button ring, its diamond glinting in the yellow-orange of sunset, then continue to the top button of her jeans. Stop. Look up. I try to keep my eyes kind of unfocused and hazy, like the guys on reality shows do when they’re coming on to a girl.
“Are you going to be sick?” she asks.
“Uh . . .” I stammer, refocusing my eyes. “No, I’m fine.” So much for TV as sex ed. “Do you want to . . . you know —”
“Make out?” Miranda finishes for me. “Oh yeah.”
We kiss for a while, Miranda’s fingers undoing the button of my jeans and loosening the zipper. After that, things move pretty fast. We’re both naked and breathing hard.
“We have to stop,” Miranda pants, “unless you have something.”
“Hang on.” I fish around in the mound of clothes and find my jeans. In the back pocket is my wallet. Inside is the condom my sister, Stella, put in my Christmas stocking as a joke. Mom didn’t think it was that funny. But like Stella said, I was going to be doing it eventually and I may as well be prepared. I’m glad for her sisterly concern. She must have known I used my last condom right before Carly Yellow Horse’s dad chased me across the field at the Christmas Powwow.