Books published by publisher Schlogastic Books

From BooklistHere's a rare commodity: a YA novel teens can really sink their teeth into. It's about love, friendship, responsibilities, rebellion, and identity, and it's wrapped in such a vivid depiction of the 1950s small-town youth culture that it's as if you're really there. Sixteen-year-old Bronwyn Lewis is sure that the only way a displaced New Jersey person like herself will make it in rural California is to own a car. It will be her ticket to acceptance and excitment--and to boys--as well as a way of acting out against her father, whose alcoholism and attempted suicide she's unwilling to forgive or forget. Although a car does enable her to find a group, it can't help her choose between two boys: solid, sensitive outsider Will Harding and cool, sexy bad boy JC. Although this is a first novel, there's none of the usual awkwardness; Hobbs manipulates the elements (including the sex) with energy, confidence, and surprise.