PRESCHOOLERS WHO GREW UP IN THE late 70s and early 80s with the antics of Bonnie McSmithers singing in their ears will be the perfect age to enjoy Sue Ann Alderson's newest novel for young teens, Chapter One (General $4.95). Chapter One is about Beth, who struggles to balance the desire to be part of a group of high school friends with the need to develop her own identity. Alderson seamlessly weaves several social issues into the plot: aging, abuse, prejudice against teens, coping with separation. : Beth's open relationship with her mother and her imaginative and thoughtful caring for a grandmother who seldom recognizes her put the finishing touches on a novel filled with sensitive, playful and bright characters. The teens in this novel are refreshingly quick-witted. Their dialogue and actions ring true: "The gang linked arms Beth made sure she was next to Chris and stretched five across the side walk. People moved aside to let them pass. 'We must look tough,' giggled Trish. 'Whadaya mean, look tough? We are tough, the toughest, roughest, westside airheads the world has ever seen.'" "'Speak for yourself,' laughed Beth.'I'm very deep... You earthlings may be airheads,' she went on, 'but some of us understand the intense preoccupation of the divergent levels of society, like, the surreal relationship between art and reality.'"-by Allison Haupt

[BCBW 1991] "Kidlit";