The Proving Ground - Hardcover

Elaine Marie Alphin is the award-winning author of fourteen books for young readers and one how-to book about the craft of writing, Creating Characters Kids Will Love. Most recently her young adult suspense thriller, Counterfeit Son (Harcourt, 2000) won the Edgar Award for Best Young Adult Mystery from the Mystery Writers of America.

Grade 5-9-- Lieutenant-Commander Spencer, his wife, and son, Kevin--a ninth-grader--have moved to Hadley Proving Ground, where the commander has been assigned to direct the operations of this facility for testing ammunition and equipment. The Spencers, however, soon learn that the townspeople deeply resent the Army's presence. During World War II, the federal government had unfairly confiscated property owned by families who had lived in the town for generations, and the bitterness has remained and festered. When Kevin tries to make friends with his new fellow students, he is singled out as an "Army Brat." He is treated especially roughly by an outspoken girl named Charley Hanson. As Kevin discovers the tragic story of why she has so much animosity, he uncovers a related plot to sabotage the base. Not a confrontational person, he finds that Hadley is his own proving ground. The metaphor is stretched a bit thin, and the happy ending is predictable long before the ending of the novel. However, the deft mixture of adventure, a romantic undercurrent, local politics, and development of character adds breadth and depth to this briskly paced, involving story. --Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1993 Reed Business Information, Inc.