For the Life of Laetitia

Readers may be reminded of Mildred Taylor's Cassie Logan on meeting bright, strong-willed Laetitia, who struggles against poverty and prejudice while seeking an education in an urban secondary school miles away from her Caribbean village. Because Ma cannot afford the cost of a long commute, Laetitia must live in the city with her father, a boastful, self-serving man who is quick to lose his temper with his ornery son and meek second wife. Besides being miserable at her new home, Laetitia experiences difficulties at school. Although she excels in every subject, she becomes discouraged by the cynicism of some of her teachers and classmates. The girl is especially saddened by the hopelessness felt by best friend Anjanee, a failing student who is afraid of ending up like her overworked, unappreciated mother. Hodge paints a rather dismal picture of women's conditions in the Caribbean, placing particular emphasis on education as the key to their emancipation. In narrative rich with local color, she contrasts city and rural life and relates problems common to both settings. Her cast of multidimensional characters expresses a range of attitudes about education, equality and traditional values. Readers will easily empathize with this heroine and the numerous obstacles on her road to independence. Ages 12-up. (Jan.)