Elizabeth and Tara*Starr's junior high school world is one of corny jokes, words like "gazillion," and awkward moments (a New Year's Eve kiss happens at 12:08, and "it was sort of gross because the Chee-to in his mouth ended up in my mouth"), but it's also a world where both girls are dealing with their evolving--and sometimes derailing--families. Danziger (writing Tara*Starr's letters) and Martin (writing Elizabeth's letters) are friends in real life, and both have done a masterful job of creating the distinct, realistic, endearing voices of their characters; developing a profound, emotional, and ever-changing relationship between two young girls; and crafting a page- turning story to boot. Young readers--half-laughing, half with lump in throat--will "totally relate" to this feisty pair! (Ages 9 and older) --Karin Snelson

Two terrifically popular authors, Paula Danziger (The Cat Ate My Gymsuit) and Ann M. Martin (The Baby-Sitters Club series), make a wildly contrasting yet compatible team, as reflected in Martin's reserved and introspective Elizabeth, and Danziger's exuberantly hyperbolical Tara*Starr. Honest and unpredictable, and oh-so-current, the book addresses many of the issues that plague and perplex teenagers today: dating, drinking, friendships, changing relationships with parents, divorce, even death. Impossible to put down, this novel in e-mail messages is every bit as warm, complex, profound, and moving as the authors' first team effort. (Ages 9 and older) --Emilie Coulter