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TINA GOGO by Judie Angell

TINA GOGO

By

Pub Date: March 27th, 1978
Publisher: Bradbury

Tina Gogo--actually Bettina Gogolavsky--first shows up in Sarajane's boring-summer life as the edgy and defensive babysitter for two neighbors, who keeps her distance (""I don't want anybody to get to know me better"") but stays around long enough for both of them to grow wiser. It's a familiar ploy, schematically developed and tactfully handled, as Tina learns to trust again (after a painful succession of foster homes) and Sarajane finds a friend, briefly visits the big city, and sees her own stable family in a new light. Unifying the story is both girls' work in SJ's family's busy restaurant--Sarajane reluctantly, Tina willingly, and SJ's little sister quite skillfully--and the gradual recognition and resolution of Tina's predicament when her mother wants her back. Smooth and involving, but a bit deliberate.