Bardi, Abby. The book of Fred, a novel.

Simon & Schuster, Washington Square Press. 292p. c2001. 0-7434-1194-3. $13.00. SA

Fifteen-year-old Mary Fred Anderson is placed in a foster home when her parents are arrested for permitting her second brother to die from lack of needed medical care. Her family belongs to a religious cult, the Fredians, who follow the teachings of the Book of Fred, practice an ultra-conservative lifestyle thoroughly insulated from both the vices and virtues of today's society, dress only in brown and black, and are totally focused on preparing for the apocalypse. Mary Fred's new family, the Cullisons, includes Alice, a depressed mother still having difficulty recovering from her divorce, Roy, her cocaine addict brother, and Heather, Alice's bored, unfocused 15-year-old daughter. Although their cultural and family values are diametrically opposed, Mary Fred and her new family find that they can connect and benefit from each other. Mary Fred learns much from them about being a teenager in the modern world (pink shirts, lipstick and stuffed dog, television, boys, and that she is attractive), while at the same time teaching them by example her strong work ethic, her sense of social responsibility, cheerfulness, and respect for all people.

Each section of the novel is narrated by a different character, which allows the reader to see his or her perspective and assessment. Suspense builds when after six months Mary Fred's mother phones to say that she has been released from prison and is on her way to get her daughter. The dramatic ending of the story is a page-turner recalling both the Waco Davidians and the Jonestown cult. Teens reading about Mary Fred's life in the cult can observe the various techniques of mind control and enforced obedience, and will doubtless appreciate the everyday things they take for granted. Susan G. Allison, Libn., Lewiston H.S., Lewiston, ME