THE TINKER'S DAUGHTER

If there's anything worse than having a middle-aged flower child as a mother, Holly Gerard can't imagine what it could be. Paisley, as her mother has called herself since the 1960s, supports the two of them by selling antiques (read junk) out of their modest Vermont home. Holly will have none of it, longs to be ``normal,'' and molds herself in that image when glamorous teen actress Maddy Gordon moves to town and makes friendly overtures. Holly hides her humiliating home life so their fragile friendship won't shatter, even while she suspects that certain aspects of Maddy's world just don't add up. Another girl moves inCamillawith troubles that put Holly's in perspective; she starts Holly on the road to acceptance of her mother and herself as well. Hayes (Zoe's Gift, 1994, etc.) has penned a positive tale about peer pressure, coming of age, and real values in a small town. Paisley and Camilla, two delightful characters, are icing on the cake. (Fiction. 10-14)