cover image No Time for Rabbits

No Time for Rabbits

Jane McFann. Avon Books, $2.95 (0pp) ISBN 978-0-380-76085-5

Blending romance, suspense, humor and poignancy, the author of One Step Short takes a step forward with her newest YA novel. When an announcement about treacherous road conditions due to an ice storm is ignored inadvertently by Bethany, her boyfriend Starling and Mr. Baldwin, a staid history teacher, they find themselves trapped in their deserted high school. The trio is soon joined by other unalerted students, including the attractive Jyl. A power outage escalates the crisis; the escape of the biology room's rabbit is another headache. Bethany retains her composure throughout these mishaps, until Jyl competes effectively for Starling's attention. When Mr. Baldwin suffers a heart attack, the group's priorities change quickly. He must receive medical help, and teamwork is the only way to save him. McFann's slick dialogue is right on target, and--with her clever first-person narration--Bethany is an accessible character teens will admire and relate to. Ages 12-up. (Mar.)