Kelly 'n' Me

Hoping for donations, Anthony, 15, sings and plays his guitar in New York City's Central Park. He is outshone one summer day by Kelly, a 16-year-old with a remarkable voice. They ultimately team up and begin dating, although Kelly, who claims she's as impoverished as Anthony and his divorced, alcoholic mother, warns of her imminent move to San Francisco. Gradually, the girl tells about her former drug addiction and her contentious relationship with her wealthy parents. After meeting the snobbish couple, Anthony understands Kelly's need to escape. Readers, though, may be less sympathetic; Kelly's past promiscuity, drug arrests and runaway attempts have thoroughly exasperated her parents. She distributes food to the indigent and sees their plight firsthand, but the girl's general contempt for the privileged life renders her ungrateful. Levoy's misguided solution to Kelly's problems seems irresponsible. His dialogue, while natural, contains some profanity. Also, Anthony's breezy narrative grows turbulent in this presentation of two contrasting yet equally unhappy families. Ages 12-up. (Oct.)