THREE SISTERS

by Norma Fox Mazer ‧ RELEASE DATE: Feb. 1, 1986

Karen Freed, 15, is the youngest of three sisters, a position she finds particularly problematic. Her oldest sister, Liz, is a poet and the family beauty--in Karen's eyes, perfect. Tobi, the middle sister, is smart and in her own words, passionate. She's also outgoing, outspoken, and headstrong. Who am I? Karen wonders. What's special about me? ""Well, you--you're our monkey,"" Tobi tells her. Where her sisters are concerned, Karen feels she can never compete, let alone win. Liz and Tobi have boyfriends; Karen loses hers. Liz and Tobi are close and seem to include Karen only when it's convenient. Beyond that, she's just their little sister, needing protection, certainly, but left out of things--secrets, problems, activities. To top it off, they think Karen is much too sensitive. Things begin to change, however, when Karen falls for an ""older man,"" handsome, sensitive Scott--to whom Liz is engaged to be engaged. After all, Scott has kissed Karen. Did Karen read it wrong? She doesn't think so, and takes steps to see more of Scott. She feels guilty about what she's doing to Liz, and very grown up, too. Liz and Tobi soon discover what she's up to, and for a while, Karen's already fragile world is shattered. But with a new-found strength, Karen summons the courage to begin patching up her relationship with Liz. Author of such well-received novels as Taking Terri Mueller and When We First Met, Mazer delivers a gentle, engaging story of sisterly feelings and family dynamics. There's no holding back on details or emotions here. The Freed sisters, Karen especially, are girls every reader might know. But while Karen's mother emerges as a caring, independent woman, no clear picture of her father evolves. He seems to sit just outside the family, more spectator than participant. And Karen, the character who changes most dramatically, is still perceived by Tobi and Liz at the end as their overly emotional little sister. Realistic, yes, but perhaps frustrating for the reader who is sure Karen deserves something more for all she's been through. Still, Mazer's story is a grabber, a fine piece of contemporary fiction.

Pub Date: Feb. 1, 1986

ISBN: N/A

Page Count: -

Publisher: Scholastic

Review Posted Online: N/A

Kirkus Reviews Issue: Jan. 15, 1986

Categories: FICTION