Scottie, I only offer these books to her, including already most of the ones you've mentioned, Wolf, Kerouac, Salinger, etecetera and understand the workings of the 16 year old mind (I read them) <Having one's MOTHER recommend a book, though, must surely give any proper- thinking sixteen year old girl a perfect, guilt-free excuse to ignore it for the rest of one's natural.> is a fine line I tread and remember myself as a free thinking kid at her age. I'm a fairly okay single mom, as a stage manager of many major artists and productions, including radio city music hall, I'm really just one of the guys? (and I'm not ugly, disgusting or fat, not that it matters but a picture painted doesn't hurt)I returned, after much struggling with social demands to compromise i.e. schooling, probably more free spirited than my daughter only I didn't have someone around putting people in my life (my musician and writing friends) giving me a richness. I struggled through $*%@, drugs and a big circle/waste of nonsense till I returned here. As we all know, with a 16 year old, one can only guide (of course unbeknownst to them) and be an unclingy 'friend'/mother . In other words, the books aren't 'required' reading merely books that sit on tables in her view. (she's always been an avid reader till she turned that fateful age of 12) I'm hoping it returns in full force. Thanks for the input and I apologize for the messy note as I'm going on two hours sleep and have a schedule ahead of me already. Beverly