From School Library Journal Grade 5-8-- From the attention-grabbing first chapter to the happy-ever-after-maybe ending， Fine conveys a story about relationships filled with humor that does not ridicule and sensitivity that is not cloying. Kitty is surprised when her teacher selects her to go after Helen， a classmate who has rushed from their room in tears. When Kitty discovers the cause of Helen's tantrum (dislike of a future stepfather)， she understands her teacher's reasoning perfectly. After all， Kitty had hated Gerald (alias Goggle-Eyes)， her mother's dependable but dull boyfriend. Cloistered in the lost-property closet， Kitty relates her own story of trying to sabotage Gerald's overtures. Along with Helen， readers will hang on to Kitty's every word as she regales her listeners with stories of Gerald's efforts to win her favor， including his reluctant participation in a nuclear protest demonstration that turns into a comedy of errors. Fine's gentle anti-nuclear subplot never overshadows the main theme of acceptance and tolerance in relationships. Her characters are neither fanatics nor buffoons， but people with a wide range of feelings and reactions; the dialogue is especially expressive and full of feeling. A book that is thoroughly delightful to read. --Susan Schuller， Milwaukee Public LibraryCopyright 1989 Reed Business Information， Inc. Card catalog description Kitty is not pleased with her mother's boyfriend， especially his views on the anti-nuclear issue， until unexpected events prompt her， after all， to help him find his place in the family."