V is for Virgin by Kelly Oram is a young adult novel about standing up for yourself and being a role model. Val gets dumped for not sleeping with her boyfriend, so in order to avoid the embarrassment and scandal she stands up in front of the whole cafeteria and tells them that she is a virgin and plans to stay that way. Everything snowballs from there when she meets Kyle, a rock star, who is intent on being the one to deflower her.
This book intrigued me the moment I heard about it. I was both worried and excited. It could go two ways, and both made me bite my fingernails. And then it went a completely different route. Val starts a campaign for virginity and abstinence. There’s a lot of sexual tension. It’s a typical teenage high school book, but with so much more. The virginity wasn’t a religious thing. It also wasn’t flippant. I loved her reasoning and resolve. It was a social flaw, but she stuck with it.
I do have to say that as far as the writing goes, there was a bit too much telling. Kelly would explain why the best friend said something sarcastic, when I already understood that directly from what the best friend said.
Speaking of the best friend, I also loved where that went. She ended up being a major character and creating some major problems. I was hoping for it all along. Best friends don’t usually get that kind of exposure.
Then, after all the sexual tension between the rock star Kyle and Val, there is this beautiful scene when they kiss (oh that kiss!) and then talk. Kyle is so honest and it’s beautiful. Val’s reasoning is so well-rounded and solid. I was really gripped.
I highly recommend this book to both kids and adults alike. It has a message that is not forced on you, and I find that simply refreshing.
I received this book from the author for review.