Paul Zindel is at it again in this novel that gives a brief glimpse into the lives of four teenagers. The title refers to the advice given by a teacher when a girl asked her how to stop a guy when he is going too far. The teacher says to suggest going for a hamburger.
Yes the tone is set in this tale and as you can well imagine the adults are not on the same page as the kids. There is a beautiful sequence towards the middle of the book when you follow each teen home to get a taste of the typical family encounter. Maggie and her mom seem to have the healthiest relationship where Liz and her mother and stepfather are at odds and the misunderstandings run deep. Sean talking to his dad makes for uncomfortable laughter because the scene rings so true. What do you do with a parent that has not a clue? As with Pigman, Zindel again is a front runner in presenting realistic teens that face life-changing issues. I feel as if I am in the hands of a master as I weave through his harrowing tale. Bravo!
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