MARRYING MALCOLM MURGATROYD

Sixth-grader Hannah always sticks up for geeky Malcolm because he's her younger brother's best friend and because, unbeknownst to her classmates, she grew up with him. Concerned with her image amongst the popular crowd, Hannah makes some mistakes in judgment, grows from them and finally realizes who her true friends are when tragedy strikes her family in the form of muscular dystrophy. Alyssa Bresnahan's youthful energy wonderfully captures preteen mood swings with a full palette of emotions: embarrassment, bravado, nervousness, anger, joy. Especially good at dialogue, Bresnahan does a fine job varying her voice from character to character --sympathetic yet stern parents, exuberant children, hopeful Ian, nerdy Malcolm and oft-confused Hannah. Author Farrell's empathetic grasp of preteen concerns and of a family's struggle with muscular dystrophy results in a realistic, coming-of-age story that is funny, moving and a touch sad. J.H.B. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: JAN 98]