Water from the Moon

Although this book possesses an engaging heroine in Nicole, 16, well-drawn characters and good dialogue, the story is a bit bland and lacks direction. Nicole's account of meeting a cute college student, attending life-drawing classes and squabbling with best friend Amy over a mysterious new girl in their high school flows along well enough. But there are conflicts in the storyNicole wants more from their friendship than the new girl can give, and brother Robby argues with their fatherbut no sense of building tension, and thus no resolution at story's end. The book is an enjoyable read, particularly the jibes at parents who give kids ""classy'' names like Nicole and Kimberley. But the plot is so featureless that readers will be hard-put to remember what exactly happens. Ages 12-up. (March)