The Summer of Kicks

by Dave Hackett

An accidental band. A record store. A pair of shoes and two perfect girls. This is going to be one hell of a summer. Starrphyre is your average dorky 16 - year - old, although with one difference. He has a very weird girly name, thanks to his hippy parents - a live - to - air radio sex therapist mum and a bass player dad from a tragic one - hit - wonder 80s metal band. A long hot summer stretches ahead of Starrphyre and all he wants is one date with his dream girl, Candace McAllister. But how can he get her to notice him when she's the star of every other high - school guys' fantasies? Perhaps starting a band with his video - game obsessed pals will do the trick.

• ISBN13: 9780702253362
• Publish Date: 27 August 2014 (first published 1 January 2014)
• Publish Status: Active
• Publish Country: AU
• Imprint: University of Queensland Press
• Format: Paperback (B-Format (198x129 mm))
• Pages: 288
• Language: English

Reviews

[Kelly]

http://www.divabooknerd.com/2014/08/the-summer-of-kicks-by-dave-hackett.html
The Summer of Kicks is hilarious, beautifully written and incredible Australian that awkward teens world wide can relate to. It follows the woes of Starrphyre, upbeat dork, musical genius and faithful friend. He's in love with a girl who doesn't know he exists, and now is forced to share his bedroom with his sisters thug boyfriend, simply known as The Tool. Including friends with affectionate nicknames such as Reece Polar Fleece, he decides that with his vast musical knowledge, his only option at being noticed is to start a band. What ensues is a brilliant roller coaster ride of hilarity, viral videos, a musical he'll never forget and an awkward first kiss that was more teeth than tongue. It was phenomenal and by far the most entertaining and comical young adult book I've read. Ever.

I'm now lying on the stage. On top of my mother. And we're face to face. The entire auditorium is staring... 'And this', Mum says, attempting to make light of the situation, 'is the missionary position'. Instantly the whole place is in hysterics. Sheila Sweet, celebrity sex therapist, is in session...

And although The Summer of Kicks is a humorous take on teen life, there are moments of seriousness that are emotional, touching and incredibly heartwarming as well. This isn't just another teen romance, this is comedy at it's brilliance. From selecting band names from a bingo barrel, the Grease musical that never should have been and grabbing a Led Zepplin shirt, only to realise you're actually proudly wearing Bert and Ernie. I laughed from cover to cover. This isn't just a book, it's a feel good experience and I absolutely adored it.