cover image Emerson/Vigilantes

Emerson/Vigilantes

Gloria D. Miklowitz. Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers, $14.95 (184pp) ISBN 978-0-385-29637-3

Paul, the editor of Emerson High's school paper, is thrilled when Brockrich, assured and popularasks him to manage his campaign for school president. Apparently, it doesn't bother Brock that his girlfriend Tiffany takes an obvious interest in Paul. Emerson is plagued with vandalism, theft and drug dealing, so Brock decides to run on a law-and-order platform. But he wants to do more to clean up the school: he, Tiffany and two other boys invite Paul to join the Knights of Honor to punish malefactors the way they deserve to be. The group's first action is vandalizing the car belonging to a black boy suspected of slashing tires. Next, they break into lockers and find drugs and a gun in a Hispanic teen's; as a result of that find, events get violently out of hand at the next caper. Paul wants out, but he doesn't want to lose Brock's friendship or Tiffany's admiration. Although there is a jarring shift from past to present tense, the story gallops on to an exciting denouement that will keep readers rooted through its thought-provoking conclusion. Miklowitz provides teens with a disquieting antidote to the Death Wish-style of vigilantism portrayed in movies and on TV. Ages 12-up. (April)