This book explores nontraditional family situations and relationships and clearly depicts their negative as well as positive aspects. Klein demonstrates how conflicting issues can complicate parents' and teen-agers' attempts to choose the correct course of action.

Through Bizou, Klein speaks to her readers with wit, understanding, and compassion. The protagonist's personal actions and feelings—about sexuality, sex roles and sexual behavior, peer relations, and family ties—are recorded in simple, sincere language.

The structure of the dialogue is contemporary and conversational, which enhances the narrative.

Some of the subplots are believable, but the major plot seems unrealistic.

Bizou's situation is not presented as typical, and she does not show the typical reactions of a teen-aged girl.

Her feelings for her mother are superficially developed and Tranquility's lack of responsibility is not seriously addressed. Her abandonment of her daughter, her sudden reappearance, and her instantaneous...