The gap year : a novel

 by Sarah Bird. With her daughter in the throes of senior-year jitters, Cam Lightsey reflects on the events of the previous 12 months that catapulted the abnormally headstrong Aubrey into a downward spiral of disrespect and deception. As a single mother, Cam had always prided herself on the open camaraderie that had existed between them, but as Aubrey's attitude continues to deteriorate, Cam begins second-guessing the choices she made, from moving into a pretentious suburb to dissolving her marriage to Martin some 16 years ago. For her part, Aubrey pinpoints her transition from Marching Band Geek Girl to Miss Popularity to the day when Parkhaven High's football hero, Tyler Moldenhauer, singled her out for special attention. When Aubrey's involvement with Tyler begins to jeopardize her departure for college, Cam desperately wishes for help in handling her wayward daughter, only to receive guidance from an unexpected source. The novel is told from alternating points of view, and Bird's handling of the familiar parent-teen clash of wills is accomplished with memorable, memorably realistic poignancy. --Booklist (Check Catalog)