TWENTY PAGEANTS LATER

Another funny, off-center novel from a popular author. Scottie-Anne succinctly sums up her life as younger sister of a ``professional'' in the world of beauty contests: ``Dane does the beauty pageants; I ride in the back.'' As a disgusted veteran, she feels that at least her career as an eighth grader is safe from the all-pervasive demands of pageant life. Then her middle school decides to run a Marsh Mid Princess competition as a fund-raiser. Forced into participating so that best friend Lillie can compete, Scottie-Anne discovers that all her assumptions about both her life and Dane's are challenged: given a chance, even a brainy, aware girl enjoys the spotlight. Scottie-Anne tells her story with rueful perspicacity, making it clear that it has several sides; her loving picture of her parents' devotion to their daughters' futures is especially well drawn. While the dark side of beauty contests is clearly (and often hilariously) included, their attractions are also given their due. Honest and entertaining. (Fiction. 12-16)