Undercover

UNDERCOVER: Beth Kephart: HarperTeen: Young Adult: 278 pages

Very loosely drawing on the classic Cyrano story, Elisa uses her way with language to help the boys in her high school write love notes to the girls that interest them. Elisa becomes personally interested in one the boys she helps, and her ice skating serves as a way for them to become friends.

Language is very important in this story, perhaps more important than the story itself. The lyrical text slows the pace of the story and distances the reader from forming attachments to any of the characters or feeling emotionally involved in the story. Nicely written, but somewhat cold in tone.

MBC