False Friends and True Strangers

Laura Duffy has settled into her new school, Panama Beach High School a.k.a. "Nama High". She just got her driver's license; she has friends to eat lunch with and a cool job at The Gap in the mall. All is right in her world, that is, until it begins to unravel when she bangs into a Darth-Vader-black Chevy Silverado pickup belonging to Vance Woodruff, the school tough guy. In the words of her best friend, Celeste, "No stinkin' way!" Unknown to Laura, this is the beginning of the end of her life as she knows it on this planet. One night after work, she discovered her car was stolen. Also, she witnesses a shoplifting incident which puts her in an awkward situation with her boss. Her life seems to be taking on a life of its own and she feels totally out of control of it. Laura also learns some shocking news about one of her friends. Then, she is embroiled in a violent act committed by Vance Woodruff and his cronies. Reality soon hits home. With the help of Mrs. Iaacsen, the school counselor, and the "Mystery Group," Laura learns the truth about God's blessings and His secret powers as well as how to handle her own responsibilities. Nancy Rue beautifully captures the nuances, language, and mixed-up thoughts and emotions of a typical teenager. I highly recommend the "Nama Beach High" series for adults as well as young adults. Also available is the first book of the series, "Nama Beach High: New Girl in Town". --- reviewed by Susan J. Shelley for Christian Bookshelf