Short Subject

Audrey glibly narrates this story of her career as a short, underdeveloped, shoplifting movie fan extraordinaire. Every night after school, she sneaks off to her friend Mr. Eisenstein's revival house, where she immerses herself in golden oldies. Her mother Gertie disapproves, but Audrey is determined to get her film fix each day, and to avoid other problems--that she is not doing well at school, that she has no friends. She develops sticky fingers gradually--first taking other people's unwanted objects, and then moving into shoplifting runs at a local store. Audrey will remind readers of an M. E. Kerr heroine, with her offbeat, single-minded approach and her 100% unique characteristics. The film references don't necessarily have to be understood, since what comes through is Audrey's whole-hearted need to be part of the silver screen, even if it's only as a blissful spectator. Kirshenbaum's first book is a likable tangle of plot and personality; unlike the gangsters she imitates, Audrey is reformable. The quiet ending winds the plot up perfectly, or as Audrey says, ``Now that's a first-rate end to a movie.'' Ages 12-up. (Oct.)