Here I've finished Book Four of 18 Pine St., a YA series from the '90s.

My strongest feelings probably came through at a few parts where the sexism Tasha faces pretty much drips off the page. And it didn't come off as overwritten or caricatural to me because those parts are fairly brief and the sexist culprit isn't simply inhuman or brainless. Yeah, people too often do have "logical" reasons for their bigotry. (That is, they may genuinely believe what they believe even when their belief is based on faulty logic, presumptions, a lack of basic facts, or what have you.)

However, as with other books I've read in the series, I didn't feel a whole lot through the parts that are pretty flat, and sometimes I wasn't exactly clear on what the tone or feelings were supposed to be. The story's emotional development is rushed and choppy in a number of places, vague one minute but sort of erratic a minute or two later. The little thread of romance and maybe most of the jokes didn't do much for me, and a certain prayer scene was weird to me, for reasons I won't get into.

Even so, a particular question of friendship the story raises is interesting, and the ending isn't bad at all. Besides, my nostalgic side liked taking another little trip back a few decades. I'm looking forward to continuing on to the next book. ( )