Standing Tall, Looking Good

For anyone curious about army life, this novel provides considerable background; in her preface, Miklowitz describes the research she conducted to give the story an authentic perspective. The novel spotlights three characters: David, who is heading for the army after high school graduation and leaves behind a wealthy neighborhood, a critical mother and an overbearing stepfather; Carter, who considers enlistment an escape from the ghetto and a way toward a brighter future; and Paula, an aspiring journalist who seeks the educational assistance benefits that await her once a military stint is completed. The recruits initially clash with one another--Paula resists David's friendly overtures, and David resents Carter's hostile view of him as a ``rich boy.'' Yet as they undergo the rigors of basic training, a bond forms among these teenagers who eventually realize that to succeed as individuals, they must first succeed as a group. Ages 12-up. (Feb.)