Wittlinger, Ellen. Zigzag.

WITTLINGER, Ellen. Zigzag. Simon & Schuster, Pulse. 264p. c2003.0-689-84998-2. $6.99. JS *

To quote from the review of the hardcover in KLIATT, July 2003: The cover art catches the eye: a young woman's face caught in the rearview mirror of a car, with a desert backdrop. Wittlinger (author of Hard Love and Razzle, to name two of her other YA novels) tells of a so-called ordinary girl from small-town America who zigzags across the country on a road trip and finds out a lot more about herself and her world. The story starts with our hero Robin devastated to learn that the love of her life is going to Italy the last summer before he leaves for college. He is so handsome, so wealthy, and she feels she is nothing without his love, which defines her. Oh-oh. Suddenly, there comes an offer from her aunt, now a widow with two angry young teenagers, to accompany them on a trip across America. These kids are grieving for their dead father, it's true, but they are also unbelievably bratty. And their poor mother, also grief-stricken, has to somehow endure their behavior. That's why Robin has been invited, to help her aunt and keep the peace.

What Robin finds out about herself is that she is interested in new people and places, that she has a certain compassion even for the most difficult children, that she is strong in a crisis, and that she might even be interested in other guys besides her high school lover (yes, they make love). The road trip itself is interesting to read about; the brats are challenging, and the reader grows to admire Robin as the journey progresses, just as she realizes her strengths. (An ALA Best Book for YAs.) Claire Rosser, KLIATT

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

S--Recommended for senior high school students.

*--The asterisk highlights exceptional books.