Attitude — Marilyn Kaye

For almost three months, Lindsay Crawford has been dating Parker Holland, the most popular guy at Benedict Academy. The prestige this brings has somewhat assuaged the pain from her parents' accidental deaths a year ago. Life with her guardian is calm yet strained; Aunt Margaret can't fill the void left by Lindsay's parents. Although best friend Jennifer has been a great comfort, Lindsay is thrilled when the sophisticated Claire suddenly becomes attentive and invites her to join a cliquish sorority. The tired generalizations about rich, shallow snobs with deep prejudices are predictable, and the nature of Lindsay's turnaround is expected as well: she grows to appreciate the sincerity of Jennifer and of David, a scholarship student, and accepts her aunt's love. In this uninspired effort--one of two titles in the new Portraits series, Kaye's undoubtedly well-meaning intentions have produced an overly sentimental story. Ages 12-up. (July)