When the Phone Rang — Harry Mazer

When the phone range, and the cold voice on the other end of the line said, “No survivors,” Billy knows that the death of his parents mean nothing will ever be the same again.

Well-meaning relatives come to split up the three Keller children as soon as the funeral is over. Lori needs a mother, they say, and Kevin shouldn't have to quit college for two years while Billy finishes high school. But Billy won't let them have their way. Despite the protests of relatives and a social worker, the three of them decide to stay together.

Staying together isn't easy. Kevin resents having to move away from his girlfriend and forfeiting his independence. Lori feels neglected and left out, and turns to an older fried who leads her into a tangle of lies and theft. And Billy believes the burden of keeping the family lies on him, though it's a burden that is becoming increasingly difficult to bear.

An minor problems turn into major crisis, Billy fears that the Keller family is a failed experiment. It is only when the family is truly threatened that Billy, Keven, and Lori realize how important each of their individual contribution is, and how much they mean to one another.