Dr. Adriana Earthlight

Adriana addresses everyone else's problems while constantly avoiding her own. She counsels her best friend Carolyn on ways to improve her self-image and romantic relationship; she tries to teach Jane how to focus on one boy; and she helps Lauren cope with her upcoming relocation, the eighth in seven years. School always plays second to Adriana's ``cases,'' but when she meets Nick, he becomes the center of her attention. For the first time she is forced to deal with her own emotions, but she is terrified to admit their intensity. She copes by treating Nick as another ``case,'' but that infuriates him and she almost loses him. Adriana is a fascinating protagonist, and the complexity of her character is powerfully conveyed through natural-sounding dialogue and fluid narration. Ages 10-14. (Sept.)