Such Nice Kids — Eve Bunting

This cautionary tale, as tantalizing as a tabloid headline, illustrates the manner in which a single error in judgment can set off an avalanche of mistakes. When Pidge needs to borrow a car for a hot date, he turns to best friends Meek and Jason. Unwillingly, and without his parents' knowledge, Jason lends Pidge the family car. After that, everything goes wrong: Pidge crashes into an expensive sportscar and leaves the scene, and the boys' efforts to cover up the accident plunge them into a maelstrom of criminal activity. The writing is brisk and the plotting convincing enough to enable most readers to overlook the fairly one-dimensional characterizations. Even reluctant readers will be caught up in this fast-paced tale of a deadly chain reaction. Ages 9-14. (Oct.)