Whitney’s stomach was turning now and her breathing became faster What did he have in mind?
She so badly wanted to be kissed – she had never kissed a boy before. And Lucky was so good-looking, so popular. She loved being seen with him and being wanted by him. She said nothing and just waited on his next move…

Whitney’s first kiss is an experience she will never forget. The innocence of childhood is replaced with the fire of youth -the romance, the excitement and the passion. lt all seems so perfect, but her favourite teacher, Mrs Pillay, warns her that there is another side to the thrill of teenage life. Thirteen year-old Whitney soon encounters this other side first hand – the pain of loss, the stab of betrayal and the bitterness of rejection. She comes face to face with the reality of HIV and AIDS, and finds  herself having to make some difficult and life-changing decisions. Set in the township of Thembalethu in the Western Cape, Whitney’s moving and inspiring story takes us to the heart of the most real issues young people in Southern Africa have to face every day. Her journey is one we all have to make – the journey into the soul, where we decide what is really important to us and which values to live by.

Teachers can use Whitney’s Kiss as part of an HIV/AIDS & TEENAGE PREGNANCY Prevention education programme. The novel’s message of hope, understanding and prevention speaks clearly and powerfully to those most at risk of becoming victims of the AlDS epidemic – our youth.