First Time (Orca Soundings)
Grade 8 Up—All Haley would like to do is enjoy her junior year of high school with her friend Lynn, who has just bought her first car. However, Lynn's new boyfriend, Chad, ends up taking Haley's place in Lynn's life and passenger seat. With Haley trapped at home, she finds it difficult to avoid her mom's lecherous boyfriend, Larry. One evening, he attacks Haley, and she barely escapes being raped. Her solution is to lock her doors, prompting her mom to think that she is smoking marijuana. To add to Haley's confusion, Lynn is planning to have sex for the first time and needs Haley's help to buy condoms. With her life turned upside down, the teen finds an unexpected ally in Chad's friend Mike. When Haley's mom confronts her about buying condoms, Haley also tells her about Larry's attack. Realistic dialogue and situations characterize this novel. Struggling readers will appreciate the quick pacing and the low reading/high interest level. However, multiple plotlines and an abrupt, unresolved ending are confusing and unsatisfying.—H. H. Henderson, Heritage Middle School, Deltona, FLCopyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.