Jason and Marceline

September 1, 1986
Jason Herkimer and Marceline McAllister have been friends since Space Station Seventh Grade, though Marceline embarasses Jason with her trombone playing, goofy sunglasses and general refusal to conform. Thus, Jason is surprised to find himself in love with Marcelineand even more surprised when she rejects him. He indulges in sort of macho behavior until being part of the crowd is no longer satisfying. One day in the lunch line, a naive seventh grader, Rudy, starts choking. When Jason saves him using the Heimlich maneuver, Rudy grabs him in a grateful hug and won't let go. Jason is horrified at first because everyone in the cafeteria is watching, but understanding Rudy's terror, he gently hugs him back. Marceline is touched by Jason's kindness. They are reconciled, and their friendship/romance is ready to move to a new level. Spinelli's teenagers are fresh and funny, sometimes crude, sometimes poignant, and always very real. Jason's story will have readers rejoicing in recognition as he learns to accept himself and others.

February 1, 1987
Gr 7-9 -Jason Herkimer, the star of Spinelli's Space Station Seventh Grade (Little, 1982) is now in ninth grade and anxious to tell readers about his burgeoning sexuality and his romance with Marceline McAllister. While all of his friends seem to be scoring direct hits with their first loves, Jason is not certain where or how to begin, and his X-rated mind has to cope with a girl who thinks kissing is quite enough for now. Meanwhile, the steam rises from seemingly endless torrid stories of sexual conquests all about him. Spinelli has achieved a sort of reputation as a bad-boy of juvenile letters, and here he moves into previously untouched areaslots of hickeys, sperm, and hormones. It's all done for laughs, and Spinelli can be very funny, if very crude. Some adults will shudder or sputter over this one, but YAs will love it. It's a quick, witty read, and even the print is big. Robert Unsworth, Scarsdale Junior High School Library, N.Y.