New Girl in Town

After moving with her parents to Panama City, Florida away from Missouri where she grew up, 16-year-old Laura Duffy is not fitting in well as a Junior at Panama Beach High School lovingly called "Nama High" by the students. Nama Beach High is written from Laura's point of view. Nancy Rue beautifully captures the nuances, language, and mixed-up thoughts and emotions of a typical teenager. She begins in chapter one with: -------- "I, Laura Duffy, made a decision on October 20th of my junior year. It was a decision that rocked my world. After three days at Panama Beach High, it was obvious that I was essentially the biggest loser in Panama City, if not on the planet, and that nobody was ever going to speak to me. Period. My decision: I couldn't spend another lunch period pretending I didn't CARE that I was being ignored. I knew kids believed being a loser was contagious; I believed it too. I wouldn't want to be friends with me either." ------- We immediately relate to Laura and remember our own teenage inadequacies and fears of starting a new school and wishing we'd somehow melt into the pavement and not be seen or heard " EVER! For me, 'Nama . . . reminded me of that sick feeling in the pit of my stomach when facing a new situation and being totally alone in the world. We as adults have learned how to overcome our insecurities and we've gone on to conquer them (some of us have, that is). Poor Laura with "sparkling orthodontia" and "nerd" status because of her good grades is faced with total upheaval with none of her peer-group support to help her adjust and give her the confidence she needs to go on. Laura is soon met with a violent encounter with two tough girls which leads her to the principal's office and an unwelcomed invitation from the school counselor, Mrs. Isaacsen. She then joins a group of four fellow misfits in Mrs. Isaacsen's "Mystery Group" and they begin meeting weekly. These four girls, Mrs. Isaacsen, and Laura form an unlikely bond which helps them learn about life, love, and friendships, their faith and the truths about God. And, Laura has a "Secret Admirer" who leaves her notes and curious items in her locker. There's the hint that there is also an angel sent from God to encourage her and help her grow in her faith. -- reviewed by Susan J. Shelley for Christian Bookshelf

Laura Duffy has everything going for her. She is a straight A student, has a prominent spot in her school chorus, and is popluar with lots of friends. Her life is turned upside down when her family moves out of state and she attends 'Nama Beach High, where she is too late to get into both advanced classes and chorus. Laura doesn't even have much chance at making new friends, as the only girls she talks to in the first few days just want to beat her up! Luckily, Laura's brush with juvenile deliquency puts her in touch with guidance counselor Mrs. I., whose group for girls who feel out of place is just what Laura needs. With the gentle urging of Mrs. I., Laura begins to slowly let God work in her life. But her little sister's close brush with death and the mysterious stranger who leaves objects on Laura's locker throw her off track again. Does God have a plan for Laura's life? Who is the Secret Admirer? Will Laura ever find a place to fit in? I enjoyed this book and think that many teenage girls will as well. I did like Book Two better, but it is important to read them in order so that you will know what is happening.