MATES, DATES AND SOLE SURVIVORS

In number five in Hopkins's popular series, it's the school holiday, and Lucy has great plans for her new beau--only he starts off summer break by saying, " Let's be friends." Shirley Barthelmie has fun sharply delivering the T-shirt slogans that become Lucy's new hobby, such as " Princess, having had enough with princes, seeks frog." Romance looms but then disappoints when the devastatingly handsome Daniel smothers Lucy's interests and stifles her friendships. Barthelmie reads with few voices, changing her tone just enough between teen and adult to differentiate the characters? especially Lucy's practical mom. Lucy's conclusions are summed up on another T-shirt: " Don't let him walk all over you; girls are goddesses, not doormats." D.P.D. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine [Published: JUN/ JUL 07]