Looks Aren't Everything

Giddy 16-year-old Rosie's universe revolves around one thing only: boys. It doesn't matter what they look like, as long as they're cute and they like her enough to ask her for a date. One date, however, is all that interests Rosie, who confides all her boy problems to best friend Jeanie Higgins (her older brother is Handsome Harry, the most gorgeous guy in town). Rosie suddenly discovers that she's in love with Harry, but he ignores her. Much to Rosie's astonishment, Jeanie, who had always expressed no interest in boys, falls in love with ``Spud,'' who always wears a potato suit, while Rosie's divorced mom also becomes romantically involved. Though Rosie is temporarily dejected and dateless, a happy ending is provided for all concerned. The book's breezy style is engaging at first, but soon wears thin, applied to material better suited to a short story. Despite occasional flashes of brilliance (the description of teen boys' kisses is hilariously, achingly perceptive), Landis's latest is not as engaging as The Band Never Dances . Ages 12-up. (Mar.)