Live from New York

This shrill, insubstantial novel fails to live up to the promise of its peppy cover. The characters, though superficially eccentric, remain one-dimensional throughout, thanks to the convolutions of an extremely silly plot. Chico, 16, has always been more capable than Rita, her childlike mother. When Rita abandons the romance she is writing to decamp with a Dutch sea captain, Chico sets out to complete the novel on her own. An attractive classmate becomes her collaborator on the project, and--not surprisingly--a romance develops. A rather maudlin subplot involves the mishaps of Chico's mixed-up best friend. Gelb's glib dialogue makes it difficult to empathize with his characters. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)