HILARY'S ISLAND

Some mystery, lively characters and the charm of the English countryside brighten this book about a vivacious youngster against the strait-laced authority of two aunts, her escape and the reconciliation. The identity of the mysterious ""boy"" Hilary is guessed by Jane and Judy when they spend a holiday with Uncle John in the country. Hilary reveals ""his"" identity to Jane and Judy and the battle of the children to obtain adult understanding is on. The aunts, unaware of the double identity of their sweet doll-like niece, Amaryllis, believed it impossible to fit the lives of young people into a pattern and have a rude shook when Amaryllis, June and Judy set out to prove otherwise. The aunts are caricatures and the situation is unreal, but there is enough suspense, human touches and good fun to make this book a bargain for light reading for girls.