In this horror novel parody, three self-centered members of Cliffside High School's ruling clique, who are beginning to age rapidly, become convinced that the beautiful new exchange student is the ghost of the girl whose death they caused the year before. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.

The versatile Newbery Medalist sets off on a different-and wacky-tack with this spoof of young adult horror novels. Lavishly dosed with comic hyperbole, his plot is good for some chuckles-and many groans. Here goes: physically flawless Danielle, thoroughly vacuous Tiffany and their lumpy sidekick, Brook are all "Huns," those privileged students at Cliffside High whose parents have struck it rich enough to reside in Hundred Palms Estates. The ruthless trio has already dispatched one outsider: the year before, Charity Chase (a non-Hun) cozied up to Drew (a hunky Hun on whom Danielle has designs), and sent her scurrying off a cliff... to her death. Now Helga, an ethereal exchange student from Norway, has the misfortune to catch Drew's eye. Meanwhile, the three vain girls are experiencing horrifying symptoms of accelerated physical aging. Is Helga the ghost of Charity, returned to avenge herself? What could explain the girls' deterioration? Fleischman's take-off is clever, but its humor is strictly one-note. Ages 14-17. Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr 7 Up--This takeoff on teen-horror novels is funny, mocking, and a surefire hit. Cliffs, murder, ghosts, and revenge form the core of the plot as three teen girls at Cliffside High draw a bead on Helga, the ravishing Norwegian exchange student who has captivated Drew, a boy whose father is a millionaire. Danielle, Tiffany, and Brooke are convinced that Helga is the avenging ghost of a girl whose death they caused the previous year. As their efforts to dispatch her escalate, the girls of the ruling clique suddenly find themselves rapidly aging with all of the common debilities of arthritis, liver spots, gray hair, hearing loss, and sagging breasts--hence the title. A clever twist at the end delivers a befitting resolution. The fun is in the vapid thinking of the girls, the trendy teen scenes, and the parody of YA actions and dialogue. This hilarious farce should have teen-horror fans screaming with laughter.Julie Cummins, New York Public Library Copyright 1995 Cahners Business Information, Inc. From: Reed Elsevier Inc. Copyright Reed Business Information

Gr. 7-12. Fleischman has written a funny, clever book, and he's not too shy to admit he had a great time doing it: "I had so much fun . . . that I'm already at work on a parody of the Sweet Valley High books. It's called Bleak Valley High." Teenage boys receive their share of pointed barbs, but it's girls who take the brunt of the sarcasm in the offbeat mix of horror story and satire. Fleischman's star performers are a thoroughly obnoxious trio of rude, self-centered, beauty-conscious, rich girls. When attractive exchange student Helga arrives at Cliffside High and bewitches every male in "exclusive Hundred Palms Estates," Danielle, Brooke, and Tiffany decide to teach her a lesson, much as they did poor Charity Chase--who plunged off a cliff. Unfortunately for Danielle and company, Helga has an unsuspected ally in elderly Mrs. Witt, who knows a perfect, totally terrible way to stop the girls in their tracks.<^P>In typical horror story fashion, the grim reaper will out, but not before the girls discover who has really been swinging the scythe. Using a combination of wicked wit and old-fashioned physical comedy, Fleischman manages to make the abhorrent triumvirate's coping with the ravages of old age (including everything from sagging "tits" to incontinence) ludicrous enough to be laughable, and his characters are true originals: among the best are entrepreneurial Jonathan, who'll sell classmates anything from condoms to cake out of his many school lockers, and Tiffany, who talks in questions and videotapes her tush so that she can see what others see when her back is turned. Not everyone will appreciate the mockery, which has a strong bite, but there'll be plenty who'll love it and be sorry when the rapid-fire high jinks are over and repugnant Danielle is well on her way to her just reward. (Reviewed Oct. 15. 1995)1564026272Stephanie Zvirin From: Syndetics Solutions, Inc. Distributed by Syndetic Solutions, Inc.