A contemporary novel of teen-age high school life, Facing Up deals with friendship and relationships in a story with enough action and dialogue to keep young adults entertained. Dave, a likeable and interesting protagonist, is faced with problems that will be familiar to many of today's teen-agers.

Through his story Brancato explores the dilemma many teen-agers face in choosing between same-sex friends and those of the opposite sex. Facing Up also discusses frankly the differences between real friendship and sham relationships manipulated by one partner for personal satisfaction.

A central issue that concerns all the characters is the effect of death on their lives. An early conversation between Dave and Jep foreshadows Jep's death, and the opinion Jep expresses about death might soften some reader's reactions to the tragedy. Near the end of the novel, Dave undergoes a symbolic death and rebirth, nearly drowning in the...