Cal Cameron/Spider/

Some readers are likely to be turned off by the sentimental, boy-meets-girl jacket illustration, which sells short this fine, vigorous book. The eponymous narrator is ``a high school quarterback and all-around hotshot,'' but something seems to sour his junior year. He doesn't care about football anymore, or anything elsenot his ``in'' friends or even the girl he usually dates. He makes friends with Marti, a new girl at school who doesn't care what anyone thinks of her. Her attitude fascinates Cal, who has always tried to fit in with the crowd. Gradually, Cal finds himself doing thingsplaying ball with Marti's retarded brother, studying hardbecause he wants to, and not just to please others. And along the way, he gains compassion and insight into the relationships between his peppery grandfather, nerdy father and older brother. Cal's pungent commentary is a delight, and characters are wonderfully fleshed out, making this entry in the Delacorte Press Prize for an Outstanding First Young Adult Novel a winner in more ways than one. Ages 12-up. (April)