THE FAREWELL KID

Wersba brings her trilogy about Heidi Rosenbloom--the disaffected 17-year-old who (to her parents' disappointment) is neither a beauty nor a scholar--to a happy conclusion. After her most recent disappointment in love (Wonderful Me, 1989), Heidi is determined to pursue her life plat: succoring stray dogs. To this end, she moves out of her mother's apartment while Mrs. Rosenbloom is on a disastrous European tour, setting up housekeeping in a scruffy ex-barbershop nearby. Her only encouragement comes from Harvey Beaumont III, whom she encounters while searching for strays; he reminds her of Truman Capote. To Heidi's surprise, they become friends, and she embarks on her first full-fledged love affair. Wersba fans who recognize Harvey from The Carnival in My Mind (1982) will be glad that he, too, has found a happy ending A sentimental story that's redeemed by sharp characterizations and pungent narrative.