TINA'S CHANCE

by Alison Leonard ‧ RELEASE DATE: Oct. 1, 1988

At 14, Tina sets out to find out about her mother, who died when she was two and whom no one will mention. Traveling to London, she finds her mother's sister Louise--at which point almost too many plot entanglements befall her. She collapses with mononcleosis, necessitating a stay with her aunt and her friend Diana, both nurses--sympathetic but, she learns, lesbians. She finds that her mother had Hunting's Chorea, a fatal hereditary disease that both she and Louise have an even chance of also having. Meanwhile, her obnoxious father rants, and her new stepmother placates. But after a confusing start, the book surges ahead: the entanglements motivate one another, and Tina's blur of mono-induced emotions helps to introduce the life-style of Diana and Louise with some empathy. Tina's prognosis is still undiscovered, but she learns to face her future and communicate with her family when she goes home. An excellent springboard for teen discussion, especially about AIDS: the topics introduced are timely, telling, and well told.

Pub Date: Oct. 1, 1988

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: 160

Publisher: Viking

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Sept. 15, 1988

Categories: CHILDREN'S