I stumbled on this young adult novel from 1950 while I was looking for something else, and I decided to give it a go. It seems it was one of those stories that developed in an author's head for quite a while before it reached novel form, as two of the chapters in this book are based on short stories published in 1932 and 1946.

I think it works in the novel's favor that, despite the title, this book isn't only about Marcy. It's also about her older brother Ken and includes his perspective as well as those of their parents. The story gives some nice glimpses of their familial bonds.

Also despite the title and the fair share of Marcy's social and romantic adventures and troubles, I didn't find any particular reason to like her or really root for her. Yes, she may one day grow out of her adolescent tendency to be dramatic, fickle, and whatnot, but she isn't especially funny or warm-hearted or anything to make you like her, and it's clear the narrative itself doesn't take her too seriously. It's just interesting to watch what's happening to her in this malt shop novel that doesn't seem to have any overall moral to the story, so to speak.

I mean, if there's anyone who does learn (or at least come to consider) something important, it's Ken. His plotting ways can be humorous, thoughtful, and quite clever at times but also manipulative and selfish when he misuses his wits. But Marcy? It isn't clear if she's really learned much or done any growing up by the end of the novel.

Moreover, the book conveys the outdated message that happiness for an adult woman is synonymous with being married, and a couple of the young characters' comments about women and their weight made me roll my eyes. But neither of those brief moments took me off guard.

On the whole, I enjoyed this old-fashioned read as light entertainment, and I plan to try one or two more of the Marcy novels that follow it. ( )

From vintage scholastic cover:

Devon had a way of looking up into a boy's face that seemed to do something catastrophic to his will power. When Devon gave Steve that look of hers, Marcy felt younger than she had in a long time.

"You kept looking at Devon," Liz teased her later. "What are you trying to do, absorb her technique?"

"I should say not!" Marcy replied perhaps too sharply. And all that evening she felt a sinking sensation within her.