Novels
Lexie by Audrey Couloumbis
Ten-year-old Lexie loves going to the shore on vacation every year with her parents, but she is resistant to the changes that come to her favorite trip after her parents divorce and her father decides to invite his girlfriend to tag along.
Summer of the Gypsy Moths by Sara Pennypacker
In this middle grade novel by the author of the Clementine series, main character Stella has trouble getting along with her great aunt's new foster child, Angel, until a tragedy forces them to rely on each other.
My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer by Jennifer Gennari
Twelve-year-old June Farrell really wants to win a blue ribbon in the pie contest at the upcoming fair, but she is discouraged by her mother, a proponent of the disputed civil unions in the state of Vermont, who asks her to keep a low profile.
Annie writes letters to her dog, Leo, which confide her innermost feelings about her strict new teacher, her former beloved teacher, and her newfound interest in poetry. (This book is a sequel to Remembering Mrs. Rossi, but it can be read on its own.)
Series
Sleepover Squad by P.J. Denton
The covers of this paperback series for early elementary readers have been redone with new illustrations, but Julia Denos did the originals. The series follows a group of girls who love to have sleepovers, but run into various problems preventing them from running smoothly.
Alice by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
Readers follow Alice McKinley through middle school, high school and beyond in this beloved series which ran from 1985 to 2013. The earliest books of the series have been re-released with these beautiful covers which truly capture Alice's personality and frequent embarrassments.
Casson Family by Hilary McKay
Readers follow Alice McKinley through middle school, high school and beyond in this beloved series which ran from 1985 to 2013. The earliest books of the series have been re-released with these beautiful covers which truly capture Alice's personality and frequent embarrassments.
This British series follows the children of eccentric artists, all of whom are named for colors. I reviewed the first book, Saffy's Angel, in the very early days of this blog!
The Fairy Bell Sisters by Margaret McNamara
This beginning chapter book series by the author of the Robin Hill School easy readers focuses on the younger sisters of Tinkerbell: Clara Bell, Golden Bell, Rosy Bell, Sylva Bell, and baby Squeak.
This beginning chapter book series by the author of the Robin Hill School easy readers focuses on the younger sisters of Tinkerbell: Clara Bell, Golden Bell, Rosy Bell, Sylva Bell, and baby Squeak.
