Children's Literature
Maggie, who wishes she had a boyfriend like her friend Liz has, goes out with Dennis and, despite a rocky start, they begin a relationship. Meanwhile, Liz and her boyfriend Sean have an emotional, on-again, off-again relationship, but truly care for one another. On prom night, a chain of events occurs that changes these four friends lives forever. An assault on Liz brings Sean to her rescue and they end up having sex. When Liz discovers she is pregnant, they initially discuss getting married, but Sean's father talks him out of that plan. Maggie goes with Liz to get an abortion, but panics when Liz starts bleeding in the car. Maggie gets Liz's parents, and everyone in town ends up finding out about the pregnancy. By the time graduation roles around, the dynamic between these people is permanently altered. While Zindel's work is no longer quite as controversial as when it was first published, many of the issues are still relevant to today's teenagers. The book is told mostly through narratives, but notes and school papers written by the main characters add texture. Zindel's characters and situations remain as realistic today as they were more than thirty years ago. 2005 (orig. 1969), Harper Trophy, Ages 12 up. —Amie Rose Rotruck