Trouble in Pembrook

VOYA

What happens when a bunch of late-teens and early twenty-somethings share a condo in Killington, Vermont? The snow turns steamy. Six hot-blooded young people-three men and three women-work and share a condo at the Killington resort. Complications begin when a mistake forces one of the bedrooms to be coed. Eliot blogs everything. Isis, a stellar snowboarder, needs a boost of confidence to showcase her talent. Chad is mysteriously angry. Brazilian Dolce comes to figure out if she really loves the boyfriend she left behind. Beautiful Jenny hides a lack of self-esteem. Frank is a Dartmouth ROTC grad who could be called up at any time and happens to be taking advantage of the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. The main plot thread deals with Isis and Eliot. As she gears up for a major snowboard competition, her relationship with Eliot blossoms-with the usual difficulties, of course. The language is frank, possibly too raw for schools and libraries in more conservative communities. Much drinking is involved. Sexual tension and activity, although deftly handled, abound. Costello is current with e-mails and blogs featured in the text. She does an excellent job capturing the voice of the generation as well as effectively creating the atmosphere of Killington. Eliot and Isis are interesting, fully realized characters. The supporting cast is, naturally, less fully developed. With great appeal for Real World fans, the novel is bound to be wildly popular with teens. VOYA CODES: 3Q 5P S (Readable without serious defects; Every YA (who reads) was dying to read it yesterday; Senior High, defined as grades 10 to 12). 2006, Simon Pulse/S & S, 288p., Trade pb. Ages 15 to 18.
—Mike Brown

School Library Journal

Gr 9 Up-Six teens party and clash during a three-month ski/work program at Killington. Eliot, a blogger who will use any and all of the others as subject matter, falls for Isis, who snowboards for joy but lacks confidence in her considerable talent. Jenny is the free-and-easy party girl. Dolce is really there to test her commitment to her boyfriend, who wants to get married. Chad, a smoldering enigma, provides mystery as well as misery. Frank, a gay ROTC recruit awaiting orders, acts as host. Although the story is heavy on foul language, sex, and drinking, it also has fairly fleshed-out, if stereotypical, characters and a plot that moves right along. Chapters alternate among the different roommates' perspectives and include blog entries and e-mails as well as traditional text. Descriptions of snowboarding jumps and tricks are realistically exciting. This novel's fast pace will have reluctant readers lining up at the gate.-Tina Zubak, Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, PA Copyright 2006 Reed Business Information.