DEENIE'S WAY

If it were not stated that the story takes place in April of 1930, nothing in this less-than-mediocre teen-age novel would suggest that era. Sixteen-year-old Deenie Manning progresses from no interest in boys to a crush on the story of a school play, to a more realistic recognition of the value of another school friend. Marriage of an older sister and attendance at her own first prom seem to be propelling Deenie toward the orange-blossom path and away from the dreamed of writer's life confided to her diary. There is a total lack of depth and originality in characterization and situation.