The Pistachio Prescription

Many a young teenager will identify with Cassie: a beautiful older, nasty sister, a favoured younger brother, fighting parents, a body like a bean pole and eyebrows like bushes. No wonder Cassie is hooked on her comforter - pistachio nuts. Through the story, Cassie has to face the break-up of her parents' marriage, but she also grows in confidence, finds out her sister is just as vulnerable as she is - and kicks the pistachio habit. It's a good American story with a helpful, unobtrusive message read in an appropriately strong American accent. Apart from enjoyment at home, it could be used to stimulate class discussion. (The Pistachio Prescription, Heinemann, 0 434 96576 6,6 .95; Piper, 0 330 30018 0, £1.99 pbk)