One Kiss

Sixteen-year-old Maya has been best friends with Plum ever since they were kids.

Plum’s dad, Ross Kenner, is a rock star, and his band has risen to fame in the six years since he left his wife and daughter behind. But now he’s back to record an album and is hoping to see Plum again. Maya goes with Plum to meet Ross for dinner two nights running, loving the fancy food, celebrity gossip and especially the limo ride home. But then Ross kisses Maya, and the limo driver catches a moment on his phone that is not quite “appropriate”. The photo circulates, causing trouble for everyone. Maya herself doesn’t quite know how to feel. It was the best kiss she ever had, so is she a victim or not?

This short novel is a high-interest, low-reading-level book for teen readers who are building reading skills, want a quick read or say they don’t like to read. The epub edition of this title is fully accessible.

Marthe Jocelyn grew up in Toronto and moved to New York City when she was twenty, returning to Canada thirty years later. She has published fifty-one books for young readers, including board books for babies, picture books, chapter books, non-fiction, craft books, middle grade and young adult novels. She is a proud recipient of the Vicky Metclaf Award for a distinguished body of work for young readers. Marthe now lives in Stratford, Ontario with not enough bookshelves.

• Bank Street College of Education Children's Book Committee Best Children's Books of the YearCommended 2026

Marthe Jocelyn is the award-winning author and illustrator of nearly fifty books for babies, kids and teens. Her illustrated books have been shortlisted for both the Governor General’s Literary Award and the Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award. In 2009 she was the recipient of the prestigious Vicky Metcalf Award for her distinguished body of work.