Three sisters - Softcover

Grade 8-10 The story of 15-year-old Karen's crush on her older sister's boyfriend. This is not a Betty Cavanna crush, though. Karen actually tries to climb into bed with Scott. He's too sick with flu to take advantage of the situation; the showdown, where both of them must face facts, comes later. As side issues, Mazer also attempts to portray the changing nature of Karen's relationship with her sisters and Karen's own emotional development. After a promising opening, it becomes clear that Mazer is attempting too much, and that none of the plot lines is strong enough on its own. The novel deteriorates into a soap opera for teens: loosely connected scenes, occasionally intense, sometimes mildly titillating, peopled by shallow characters moving to an abrupt ending ("tune in tomorrow"). This impression is strengthened by the "Sweet Valley High" style dust jacket. Of course, soap operas have a ready audience, but Mazer has done better than this in the past and will do better again. Better to wait. Barbara Hutcheson, Greater Victoria Public Library, B.C., Canada
Copyright 1986 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Newbery Honor author Mazer limns an engrossing true-to-life portrait of Karen, Toby and Liz--who call themselves the Katoli--sisters three years apart in age who undergo the vicissitudes of sibling rivalry. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc.