DON'T CALL ME KATIE ROSE

The author of Something Borrowed, Something Blue (1963, 519, J-172) and other Beany Malone stories, can write just as convincingly about Katie Rose, who has all the Irish fire which Beany lacked. She runs through many awkward experiences when she transfers to a new high school in a different section of Denver. She makes some strong friendships while trying to cover up the situation at home. Her mother, a well drawn character who plays piano in a night club, brings a slap-dash approach to motherhood that is at happy variance with other overserious mothers- the ""Marmies"" of teenage fiction. Her Uncle Brian rolls home, bangs on the door, usually drunk. With the help of Miguel a seemingly poverty stricken but extremely popular classmate, Katie Rose passes through her selfish stage and gains considerable perspective on her family and home. The author sets a fast pace; one emotion-packed occurrence follows closely upon the next. Katie Rose's peers are part of the story as distinct individuals.