And the Other, Gold

One of Patty's goals for eighth grade is to get a real boyfriend. When Tim, a cute football player, accidentally throws a football right into Patty's face, romance ensues. Patty is delighted, but her best friend Tracy, who isn't interested in boys yet, is hurt by the perceived desertion. At first, Patty doesn't notice that she and Tracy are drifting apart. Tracy makes new friends when she plays a lead role in Oklahoma! and then it's Patty's turn to feel left out. Patty gets to know some new girls, too, but still misses her special friendship with Tracy. Fortunately, the girls manage to work out their differences and become best friends once again. Some readers may find it a bit too convenient that, just a day after the girls are reconciled, a perfect potential boyfriend for Tracy appears on the scene. Can friendships really be saved only if both girls are equally interested in boys? But the likable characters, snappy dialogue and realistic eighth-grade atmospherea sweet blend of goofiness and grown-up concernsmake this good-natured story refreshing and believable. Ages 10-up. (October)