Who's on First?

When fourteen-year-old Alex involves himself in his older sister's love life, he almost ruins her chance at true happiness

Grade 5-8-- Alex, 14, creates all kinds of problems when he tries to fix up his 24-year-old sister with a date for their cousin's wedding. He arranges for his best friend's cousin to ask her out, then catches the man in several lies. He tries to convince Carol to quit seeing him; in the meantime she has been dating someone else. Neither of them realizes that all of Alex and Carol's conversations are about two completely different men, and several funny misunderstandings result. Geller has again packed a lot into a small, fast-paced, easy-to-read package: growing up, family relations, friendship, and romance. Young teens will see that things are not always what they seem and that what people do and say can have far-reaching consequences. The entire story is told in dialogue and can be read in one sitting, which suggests possibilities for discussion, reading and writing exercises, or a satisfying quick read for reluctant readers. --Kenneth E. Kowen, Atascocita Middle School Library, Humble, TX
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

With Cousin Amanda's wedding approaching and Carol still without an escort, brother Alex decides to play Cupid by setting up his older sister with two potential suitors: his best friend's cousin Leon and baseballcoach Willie. When Carol apparently falls in love with the less desirable of the two men (who Alex has discovered is a "creep" and "pathological liar"), the result is an entanglement of mixed identities and miscommunications. Written mostly in dialogue, this short comedy of errors offers more entertainment than substance. Narrative voices are engaging enough to hold the interest of even the most reluctant reader, but some young adults may find themselves yearning for less slapstick and more subtlety. Ages 11-up.
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.