Living in Secret

Amelia was excited about escaping from her father's house to go live with her mother and her mom's lesbian lover in San Francisco. However, the 12-year-old soon discovers that having an assumed name, lying to her new friends about her past and negotiating the maze of complications arising from her mom's lifestyle isn't as much fun as she thought it would be. But when her father finally hunts her down and forces her to return home, Amelia is able to draw strength from her experiences to make a difficult choice. This first novel tackles some hefty social issues including racism, homosexuality, lawbreaking, personal integrity and justice. Though Salat's carefully worded treatment generates options for the reader, her style is constrained and lacks spontaneity. Still, this is a courageous, thought-provoking and thorough foray into some tough, worthy concerns. Ages 9-12. (Feb.)