Terror in Oak Grove High

The students at Oak Grove High are shocked to learn that their beloved principal, Mrs. Blankenship, has been kidnapped. The police are stymied, but friends Samantha Howard and Taylor Hartford conduct their own investigation. Taylor is certain that the authorities are off-base in picking up a recent dropout for questioning, and resents their ignoring his offer of help. Ransom notes left around town eventually cause Samantha and Taylor to suspect the school janitor, but assembling solid evidence without endangering Mrs. Blankenship proves difficult. Roberts ( With Love, from Sam and Me ) falls short here--her story's pace is slow-footed, and the culprit is broadly hinted at early on. Most of the players have a goody-goody persona that teens may not relate to, and Tanya, Samantha's best friend and a lively character, is virtually forgotten once Taylor appears on the scene. Most damaging, however, are the novel's mannered dialogue and tedious, repetitive narration. Ages 12-up. (Apr.)