AN ORDER OF AMELIE, HOLD THE FRIES

A shallow tale of erstwhile lovers told in letters, notes, e-mail, text messages, and illustration. When the gorgeous girl of Tim’s dreams drops an addressed envelope, he jumps at the chance to write to the mysterious Amelie and introduce himself. Alas, the gorgeous stranger wasn’t carrying her own address but a friend’s. Undeterred, Tim transfers his affections to the initially unwilling Amelie. Their correspondence, portrayed on photo-collage illustrated pages representing stationery and images of cell phones, brings them closer, though Amelie is “as good as engaged.” Eventually, Amelie will need to choose between high-school student Tim and rising businessman Sebastian. Unfortunately, this slim volume, dedicating entire pages to single text messages (“Gr8 eve. Cant w8 til Mon. T.”), offers only the slenderest characterization. Will Amelie choose Tim or Sebastian in the end? Readers know too little about her to either guess or care. (Fiction. 12-15)