HATERS

Confident, athletic and acutely psychic Paski must deal with a new world when her cartoonist father uproots her from sleepy Taos, N.M., moving to Orange County, Calif. Paski finds much there to enjoy, but can’t avoid dealing with three popular girls who have money, looks and power and who hate her on sight. Worse, she’s falling in love with the boyfriend of Jessica, leader of the pack. Even worse, Paski has enormous talent in motocross, the sport in which Jessica is the world famous national champion. As events unfold, Paski learns that people are not always as they seem, and that hatred can be deadly. The zippy prose and dialogue ring true, peppered with comic scenes involving Paski’s insecure father. This first YA offering from veteran author Valdes-Rodriguez has the potential to reach a wide audience, although its length will discourage many reluctant readers who might otherwise enjoy it. (Fiction. YA)