The Empty Summer

To good-natured, diet-obsessed and resolutely ordinary narrator Maggie, high school student Kimberley Porter possesses everything a girl could want: striking good looks, top grades, a devoted boyfriend and a promising modeling career. Yet readers will quickly become aware that Maggie and the other awestruck teens summering in Martha's Vineyard are wrong in thinking their idol has no flaws. Kimberley's pill popping, frequent withdrawal and her obsession with her father's death are some indications of the high-achiever's growing emotional difficulties. Predictable though it may be, this saga about a driven young New Yorker strikes several chilling chords. What is most sad and ironic is that Kimberley's rather obvious cries for help are regularly ignored by her peers and by adults. Despite its melodramatic tone and contrived structure (the bulk of the story is presented as a flashback that occurs in the midst of Maggie's group therapy session), this novel is undeniably memorable and may serve to enlighten YA's (or parents and teachers, for that matter) about signs of instability that should be taken seriously. Ages 12-up. (Aug.)