Gideon, Melanie. Pucker, a novel.

GIDEON, Melanie. Pucker, a novel. Penguin, Razorbill. 273p. c2006. 1-59514-055-7. $16.99. JS

Pucker is Thomas Quicksilver's name, not because he's a good kisser but because his face is disfigured from a childhood fire incident. His mother Serena isn't doing much better. She is dying, and needs Pucker to go to Isaura, his otherworld birthplace, to get her second skin. Serena is a Seer, and the second skin was part of their identity. She had been stripped of her skin, and exiled with her young son. Now Pucker is 17. In order to return to Isaura he has to undergo a deathlike experience and hide his true mission; otherwise, he is unlikely to save his mother. With his abhorrent appearance, Pucker has little trouble convincing a conduit to Isaura that he wants to end his life on Earth. Once he arrives in Isaura, his body is made whole, and he gets the attention of several young ladies, much to his pleasure. Nevertheless, Pucker must find the skin and somehow make it back to Earth in time.

This coming-of-age fantasy subtly deals with issues of appearance and substance, loyalty, greed, and change. Once readers suspend their disbelief in the between-world transport, they will probably enjoy the action and the likeable characters. Dr. Lesley Farmer, Lib. Svcs., CSULB, Long Beach, CA

J--Recommended for junior high school students. The contents are particular interest to young adolescents and their teachers.

S--Recommended for senior high school students.