I'm pretty sure I read this way back when - the cover is damn familiar, as is the author's name. I don't recall specifics, but it does sound like it would have been right up my alley. and now I'm reminded of a book of that era featuring a young woman and a wombat (my first intro to said critters) which I loved and reread a million times. sadly I can't recall the name now; possibly I should commission a librarian friend to find it for me,