Some teens react to the pressures around them with crazy, impulsive behavior. Books can offer a safe way to explore the thrills and consequences of the wild side rather than experiencing them firsthand.

The first time 15-year-old Kelleigh steals a car in "How to Steal a Car," by National Book Award winner Pete Hautman (Scholastic Press, 16.99, ages 13 up), is on a whim. She's bored with middle-class life.

She takes her friend Jen along and can't resist telling Will, the platonic "boyfriend" the girls share. Will mentions he'd like to get rid of the Hummer owned by a rich, older student who is spreading lies about him. Before Kelleigh knows what's happening, they nearly drown dumping it in the lake.

When Jen's stranded by a boy who tried to assault her, she calls Kelleigh to rescue her. Kelleigh breaks into her neighbors' garage and "borrows" their car to pick Jen up, narrowly escaping notice by the police.

After he finds out about the Hummer, Deke, a former thief and lowlife, makes a proposition that involves "boosting" cars for money. Kelleigh finds herself attracted to him and his offer.

Readers might find themselves asking what's impelling Kelleigh and might feel that there aren't enough answers. Is it the addictive thrill of the risk? Or that she doesn't have to think, just act, or rather react, to circumstances?

Is Kelleigh imitating the ethics of her father, an ace defense attorney and liar? He's fixated on defending a rapist with DNA evidence against him.

Kelleigh lies to herself about her parents. They are practically perfect, she says. But her mother drinks too much and smokes. Her father's dinner conversation centers on his case but he has an even bigger flaw than insensitivity and insincerity.

When readers discover what that is, Kelleigh is well on her way to stealing more cars in increasingly risky situations.

The drama ratchets up as the stakes and dangers increase. Readers feel as if they're in the car sweating as Kelleigh manages to pull away from an owner in the nick of time.

Her understated disclosures make illegal acts seem plausible, even inevitable, as if they're as much a part of her summer vacation as reading "Moby Dick" or writing an essay.

As a means of rebellion and self-determination, stealing cars can only be seen as an extreme. It's a testament to Hautman's skill that, despite her dubious morality, Kelleigh never comes off as less than a good girl caught in the whirlwind of her mistakes. Even while we're hoping Kelleigh will stop or feel remorse, the adrenaline rush we share with her propels us through the book.

Marcus in Gordon Korman's "Pop" (Harperteen, 16.99, ages 12 and up) gets in trouble with the law even though he's just going along as an accomplice and is sometimes completely innocent.

Having just moved, Marcus feels doomed to spend summer alone, perfecting his football throw. He's determined to try out for quarterback at his new school, even though he's aware that the varsity spot belongs to Troy Popovitch, the star player. He'd be willing to sit on the bench for the chance to make it onto a team that had a 12-0 season.

Marcus shines throwing but clutches when tackling. That has never been a problem for Charlie, the man Marcus meets and practices with at Three Alarm Park. Charlie has always been a fan of the "pop," the moment when the opponent caves in.

A well-known character around town, Charlie is 54 but acts 17. He takes what he wants from stores and his wife pays later. He leaves Marcus to take responsibility when they break a car window with a football. He "sugars" the local exterminator's office, flooding it with sweet stuff that attracts a roomful of pests. He abandons Marcus with an injured arm after promising to get help.

Something powerfully charismatic about Charlie propels Marcus to go along with his pranks against his better judgment. Besides, Charlie's teaching Marcus to love the "pop" and he's the only friend Marcus has.

When Marcus tries out for the team, Troy's followers drop his passes and the coach isn't about to break up their winning combination. Marcus pleads to be put on varsity, and earns a place as a guard.

Troy's on again/off again girlfriend, head cheerleader and whiz at football analysis, Alyssa, acts attracted to Marcus. He suspects she has other motives but he can't resist her attention.

Marcus finally realizes that Charlie is a former NFL player, Charlie Popovitch -- Troy's father. Why isn't Troy crowing about his dad's accomplishments and what causes Charlie to act so flaky?

Before Marcus can understand the full implications of that question, he kidnaps Charlie for a risky visit to Charlie's alma mater for an induction into its hall of fame.

That dicey move teaches Marcus about early onset Alzheimer's, caused by football concussions, and how it can affect players and those who care about them.

Gordon Korman's trademark humor and casual style fit the early part of the book like a successful catch. Told from Marcus' perspective, we wonder with him about Charlie's grown-up delinquency. Less persuasive are the chapters in the voice of family members. It's hard to believe they don't keep better track of Charlie or aren't angrier about his abduction.

The book ends on a surprising and sad note yet fits the larger-than-life character that is Charlie. He changes Marcus, inspiring him to emulate the daring exuberance of "The King of Pop."

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