Zeises, Lara M. Contents under pressure.

Random House, Delacorte. 244p. c2004. 0-385-73047.0. 15.95. JS *

Zeises. author of Bringing up the Bones, another fine YA novel, writes here about a loving family trying their best, but under pressure. The narrator, Lucy, is a freshman in high school, and her older brother Jack is the person she most admires. He is a musician, a student in Boston, and everything changes when he quits school to come back home with his girlfriend, who is pregnant with his child. Lucy is furious that she has to somehow accept the girlfriend, Hannah. Later, when she knows more about the situation and comes to care for Hannah. she is shocked at Jack's selfish behavior. Zeises presents these people and this situation without stereotypes. Each character, including Lucy's younger brother, is believably confused, with complicated emotions and responses. Above all, they are supportive and loving--even while being at times angry and judgmental.

In the midst of the family drama, Lucy is involved with her first boyfriend, a slightly older guy named Tobin, who has an incredibly ghastly car named "Vomit." Lucy's excitement about Tobin is disturbing her best friend, who is feeling left behind. But it brings her closer to Tabitha, who has much more sexual experience than Lucy--too much. probably. While character is predominant here. there are some themes of sexual responsibility, from the unwanted pregnancy of Jack and Hannah to Tabitha's reckless experimentation and Lucy and Tobin working out the sexual boundaries of their relationship. There is comic relief in the antics of Lucy younger brother, who loves to gross them all out. Teenagers, especially those in the middle--of their families, of the teen years--will find this novel both amusing and moving. Claire Rosser, KLIATT

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