CONTENTS UNDER PRESSURE

Fourteen-year-old Lucy comes to terms with change in a conventional but likable coming-of-ager. A year ago, she had four close friends who spent their weekends eating popcorn and watching Grease. Now three of her former friends have moved on to cheerleading, hockey, punk styles, and—most important—boys. Even good old Allison has at least been kissed. Only Lucy mourns nostalgically for the traditions of her childhood (though she wouldn’t mind a boyfriend). When Lucy’s brother Jack returns home from college, she’s thrilled that everything will be just like it used to be. But Jack arrives with his girlfriend Hannah, whom he abandons alone—and pregnant!—at home while he travels. How can perfect Jack have turned so obnoxious? Even more confusing, cute junior Tobin wants to date Lucy. Judy Blume–style made modern comes skillfully to the expected conclusion. (Fiction. 11-14)