The Invitation (Point)
Grade 6-9-- Five not-so-popular teens are invited to an annual party given by snooty Cass. Ushered into the mansion, they are soon part of a human scavenger hunt in which they are tied, bound, and hidden. Further victimization includes being heated in a sauna, cooled in a freezer, and nearly asphyxiated by a car's running motor. The first half of the book builds dramatically, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. However, the convoluted pace and subplots of this hi/lo thriller make for confusion. Teens love this scary stuff and it is a fast read . However, while some may identify with these characters, the gratuitous violence isn't necessary. Young people see this everyday on TV and in the movies. There's plenty of better material out there for them to read. --Phyllis Zucker Singer, Beach Channel High School, Rockaway Park, NYCopyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.