cover image Silicon Songs

Silicon Songs

Buzz King. Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, $14.95 (176pp) ISBN 978-0-385-30087-2

``I haven't always lived on the street,'' admits this story's 17-year-old narrator, Max. Following years of shuttling between relatives after his mother killed herself and his wealthy father pretty well forgot about him, Max has been living with his Uncle Pete. But now Pete is dying of cancer and the teenager chooses to become one of the city's homeless--dividing his time between the hospital, the beach and the UCLA computer center. He makes a little money as a legitimate computer hacker, but when he happens onto an illegal scheme, the temptation proves irresistible. Overwhelmed by events, Max sinks low, but he discovers that even when life seems bleak, it is worth living well. King's debut novel offers a thoughtful, realistic look at loss. Ages 12-up. (June)