Hold My Hand Or Else: Library Edition

by Margaret Clark

What about all that stuff you keep reading the moonlit walks, the red roses, waves softly kissing the sandy shore? It doesn't exist. Does it have to be a problem just because you don't want to hold your mother's hand anymore and you're not ready to hold anyone else's? Before you try to give yourself a hickey tonight, read this!

Genres: Young Adult, Audiobook

Audio Cassette

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Margaret Clark was born in Geelong, Victoria, Australia on 20th April 1942.
She has written books under the name M.D.Clark, Margaret D Clark and Lee Striker. Now she writes as Margaret Clark. With over one hundred books about relationships, friendships, and social issues under the guise of humour, Margaret's books have become very popular with young readers. She writes for ages four years to sixteen years. Her first book Pugwall was published in 1987 and subsequently made into a TV series, followed by Pugwall's Summer in 1989.

Reviews

[Tanya (aka ListObsessedReader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first read this at least ten years ago when I was in the early years of high school and it was one of the few true 'teenage fiction' books I read. It's something I remember enjoying, but no actual details of storyline. Having revisited it (and now having read the following) I think it reads something like the innocent 90s version of Puberty Blues. Good fun.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Couldn't help but giggle as I listened to this book. (...and roll my eyes! ...and experience "deja vu". ...and think "OMG!!")
A refreshingly funny take on growing up.

[Ricky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I re read this young adult novel for the first time in decades and still absolutely love it. It’s an extremely accurate depiction of an awkward boy and girl navigating their first “courtship” in the nineties. Sam is totally out of his depth - far more interested in surfing with his friends than girls - while Belinda is determined to date Sam. There are really subtle themes woven in here with a great if abrupt resolution. I have a lot of nostalgic fondness for this title :)

[Hannah Bnana · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read about young love, starting a new school and surfing. In the style of Morris Gleitzman. My only complaint is that the kids in the story seem very mature for the first term of year 7, they’re acting more like year 9 kids.