ROOM FOR A STRANGER

During WW II, Rhoda, 13, comes to live with the Dyers. Doreen, 12, once thought it would be fun to have an London evacuee in the house, but her resentment builds when Rhoda proves to be a lot more sophisticated and talented than she is. Rhoda takes over all the things that are important to Doreen, even taking her place in the adults' affections. When Doreen finally explodes with hurtful and hateful words, Rhoda runs away, without any clear idea of where she should go. Doreen, sensibly, resolves to find Rhoda, with nearly disastrous consequences for both of them. Turnbull (Too Tired, 1994, etc.) pens a solid coming-of-age story; although it's a foregone conclusion that the girls will become friends, it doesn't detract from a vibrant picture of preadolescent angst against the backdrop of war. (Fiction. 10-14)