A reviewer for Booklist said it succinctly in a review of Norma Howe's second novel, In with the Out Crowd: "Howe tries . . . to make readers think for themselves." In six novels for young adults, Howe does exactly that, exploring themes from creationism, peer group pressure, and sexuality to questions of free will and gun control in her novels, but never forgetting the human touch with humor and memorable characters. "Howe creates rare heroes--exceptional people who happen to be in their teens," explained Janice Green in a San Francisco Chronicle review of The Game of Life. Blending wry humor with unexpected romance, Howe serves up young adult novels that appeal on several levels. As the author noted on her Web site, "For most of my life I've been interested in two philosophical questions: the conflict between faith and reason, and free will versus determination. I tackled the faith versus...