Nothing but Your Skin/The Pool Was Empty

Gr 9 Up—In The Pool Was Empty, Celia is charged with her boyfriend's murder. She relates her side of the story and seeks to gain readers' sympathy. In a twist ending, the teen makes an admission that puts her innocence into question. Nothing but Your Skin is more complicated. Louella is underestimated by her parents, who think she is an idiot. She has a secret boyfriend and decides to have sex with him. When her parents catch them in the act, they accuse the young man of assault. The law gets involved and Louella must tell her parents the truth. The trouble is that they aren't ready to listen. Each title has its own cover and description, making the volume feel like two books. The stories are ideal for reluctant readers as the print is large, the pages aren't text-heavy, and the stories will appeal to teens. Both share chilling situations and fast pacing, a winning combination.—Lori A. Guenthner, Baltimore County Public Library, Randallstown, MD