Away Is a Strange Place to Be

After the unusual The Dawn Palace , Hoover has returned to more familiar SF territory in her latest novel. On Earth in the year 2349, orphaned Abby Tabor helps her uncle run a luxury inn, which she will one day inherit. Guests like spoiled, obnoxious Bryan Bishop, however, convince the girl that she's not cut out to be an innkeeper. Suddenly Abby and Bryan are kidnapped; with hundreds of other children, they're told their families have arranged this ``legal'' abduction to VitaCon, a new space habitat. When Abby learns they might all be disposed of when they reach maturity, she's determined to escape. But can she trust Bryan, or will his personality flaws kill them both? Hoover's crisp writing creates a gripping story with believable settings. Ages 9-12. (Oct.)