FROM THE PUBLISHER

Fourteen-year-old Jennie's life is turning upside down. Her father has walked out, and her anguished mother seeks solace in pills. Her best friend practically abandons her to be with a boyfriend. It seems like Jennie's real best friend is her diary. Then she meets Mr. Johnstone, the substitute math teacher. Jennie has never met such a charismatic teacher. She feels honored when Mr. J. seems to single her out for special attention, and begins to fantasize about him as her boyfriend. When Mr. J. first reveals his feelings for her, she is thrilled by the relationship that grows outside the classroom walls. Then, slowly, Jennie's diary becomes a record of her loneliness, pain, and confusion. Will it also offer her a way to escape from this treacherous love?

About the AuthorBeatrice Sparks is a family and adolescent therapist who edited the diary that formed the basis for Go Ask Alice, and has since edited many diaries on topics such as gangs, AIDS, and teen pregnancy in the 1988 Annie's Baby. She lives in Provo, UT.

FROM THE CRITICS

Children's Literature

The editor of Treacherous Love, Beatrice Sparks, is also the editor of the classic Go Ask Alice. Sparks brings readers another tragic soul who finds that her diary has become her true friend. Fourteen-year-old Jennie's life is falling apart. Her father has walked out on the family and her mother, unable to cope finds comfort in pills. Her loneliness and feelings of betrayal come to a head when her best friend abandons her to be with her boyfriend. During this time of vulnerability Jennie meets someone who she thinks will comfort and console her. Mr. Johnstone, the substitute teacher is so nice and pays special attention to her. Jennie welcomes this attention and soon finds herself involved with J. J. outside of the classroom. This true and gripping account of teenage exploitation and survival will captivate young adult readers. 2000, Avon Books, $4.99. Ages 14 up. Reviewer: Sue Reichard