Pregnant Pause

July 4, 2011
Two of 16-year-old Eleanor Crowe's biggest foibles, being stubborn and taking risks, turn out to be benefits in this funny and tragic tale of a pregnant teen. When Eleanor's parents find out she's going to have a baby, they give her two choices: go to Kenya with them to do missionary work or move in with her "dried-up, laced-up" married older sister in California. Both scenarios require putting her child up for adoption. Acting characteristically rebellious, Eleanor instead opts to marry her boyfriend, Lam, a high school senior, and to work at his parents' camp for overweight children. As a substitute counselor and dance teacher for a group of "bratty" girls, Eleanor discovers new skills and dreams that help her work through the traumatic events that unfold. Readers will love Eleanor's openness and admire her strength in dealing with hard choices and unexpected disasters. Although some may be surprised by Eleanor's final decision regarding her child, Nolan (Crazy) clearly expresses her protagonist's line of reasoning. Eleanor's determination to hurdle inevitable obstacles and never give up on her dreams is moving and true to her nature. Ages 14âup.