PICKING UP THE PIECES

Megan, 14, has always loved summer at the lake until a spinal injury changes her life ``forever...only seven letters...its true meaning...too huge...to comprehend.'' The simplest activities now take ``tons of time''; days of running and basketball are gone, along with dreams of college, coaching, even marriage and kids. Then she meets new neighbors: Julia, an aging actress whose fears Megan understands all too well; and Harris, a boy her own age. Life hasn't been easy for Harris, but he always sees possibilities: When he looks at Megan, he sees her, not her disability. Soon she's rowing a boat, reading lines for Julia, practicing for a wheelchair race; by summer's end, her new confidence and ability to cope with challenge raise the possibility of a return to school. In this sensitive portrait of a girl determined to find her way, Calvert once again explores themes of loneliness, isolation, and estrangement. Without belaboring the point, she clearly presents the physical and emotional realities and Megan's need to be accepted as a person. The supporting cast is nicely realized and credible—especially the likable and exceptional Harris. (Fiction. 12+)