The Temptation of Kate

After her parents' divorce, Kate moves with her mother from Brooklyn to a small town. She encounters a devil in disguise who plans to gain honor in the demonic community by transforming Kate's despair into suicide. When this nasty scheme backfires, Kate is left with a renewed appreciation of life. Unfortunately, Kate's positive outlook doesn't surface till the book's end, resulting in a depressing read for sensitive teens. In addition, Kate's parents are unrealistically self-centered; they barely notice that their daughter is on the brink of self-destruction. Although the author has started out with a fascinating idea and gone at it with the best intentions, the result reads more like a plot line than a novel. The writing is brisk and pleasant to read, but Silsbee's breezy treatment trivializes the importance of the subject. Ages 11-14. (Sept.)