Hooked

Gr 9 Up—Fredricka "Fred" Oday, 16, a Native American girl living on a reservation, is asked to join the boys' golf team at Lone Butte High School in Arizona. She elects to do so because she knows it is her only ticket to college-even though it won't be easy being the only girl on the team. Fred is a strong character who just wants to play golf and be accepted among her teammates. She meets Ryan Berenger, a good-looking guy who wants to accept her but must also please his buddy, Seth, who loses his position on the team when Fred joins. Told in alternating narratives by Fred and Ryan, the story brings readers into the characters heads. When Seth tries to sabotage Fred, Ryan finds himself in a tough spot. With the odds stacked against her, Fred is an underdog protagonist teens can get behind. While Ryan may not be as likable at first, his true character comes through as he falls in love with Fred, even as she is also pursued by a childhood friend. This is a great book for girls who have tried to make it in male-dominated situations or teens looking for a light romance.—Karen Alexander, Lake Fenton High School, Linden, MI