Cassandra Robbins, Esq.

In this novel about a gay teenager, Keith's acceptance of his homosexuality is a given. He wants to attract Bran, the one he loves. The plot has possibilities, but is weakened by the ease of Keith's coming of agefrom crush to mutual masturbation and oral sex to coming out before the community at a school dance. Keith's mother understands her son so well that she invites Bran to stay over (""I'd rather that you knew there was some place where you could feel comfortable''). Keith acts just as cool when his mother trots off for a vacation with a man she hardly knows. In this pat treatment, potential conflicts are small: the characters don't experience school and neighborhood bullying or violence; their biggest fear is group ostracism because girls are jealous that Keith gets Bran. (14-up)