Stay Tuned — Barbara Corcoran

Gr 5-8-- Despite convenient plot twists, unlikely circumstances, and surprising self-confidence shown by the homeless main characters, Corcoran infuses warmth into the conclusion of her novel. When Stevie's father, a bankrupt Iowa farmer, takes a job in Alaska, he hastily arranges for her to live with his estranged brother, and drops her off at Penn Station to make her way to New Hampshire alone. While staying in a run-down New York City hotel, she meets Eddie, 12, and his little sister, Fawn, who have been deserted by their mother. With her living expenses, Stevie purchases tickets for Eddie and Fawn, and the trio head north. Once they escape the city, the children's odyssey is one stroke of good luck and one sympathetic adult after another. Eddie and Stevie are wise beyond their years: tolerant of the flaws in others and assertive and endearing when necessary. Eddie amuses the others with his imaginary radio broadcasts and derives emotional strength from his private exchanges with his beloved deceased grandmother. The backgrounds, demeanor, language, and values of these kids seem unlike those of homeless youth. Although the fairy tale ending may raise a cynical eyebrow, Corcoran's characters are likable, and readers who favor happy endings will overlook the book's implausibilities. --Gerry Larson, Chewning Junior High School, Durham, NC