Diving In
Grade 7-9.  Although distinctively British in tone and language (including lots of British slang and some universally explicit language), this is really a conventional teenage romance, modernized to include issues such as date rape. Colette fantasizes about Art and, miraculously, ends up dating him. Wealthy and handsome, he pressures her about having sex. Although she is attracted to him, she's not ready; when he invites her to his family's summer cottage, she is furious to discover that he assumes she'll be delighted to sleep with him. Although Colette is an agreeable, believable heroine, grappling realistically with her dilemmas (unfortunately, her initial boldness and strength is replaced by her obsession with Art), the secondary characters are fairly one-dimensional: the best friend Val, almost abandoned once Colette starts going out with Art; the overweight, ex-hippie mother whose feminism consists of trashing men, including her meek husband; Art's rich, playboy father, etc. Several scenes strain credulity: Colette's mother confronts Art's parents for condoning their son's behavior, thus instantly improving her relationship with her daughter; Colette's reluctant participation in a self-defense class for women is a heavy-handed hint at subsequent events. In the end, she breaks up with Art and, in a nice reversal, he apologizes and pleads for another chance. Despite the flaws, this may be enjoyed by those who aren't baffled by the lingo or turned off by the lack of depth.?Cyrisse Jaffee, formerly at Newton Public Schools, MACopyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.