Carousel Summer

Written & illustrated by Kathleen Gros

A summer of self-discovery challenges Lucy to embrace her true self amid town tensions.

4.2/5 Goodreads · 487 ratings

304 pages

$24.99Save 5%

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Bookroo's summary

Twelve-year-old Lucy faces a summer of change when her best friend leaves for camp. As Milforth prepares for its 150th anniversary, Lucy meets Anaïs, sparking new feelings and self-awareness. With a development company threatening the town and clashes with her dad over her tomboy identity, Lucy must navigate her path to authenticity. Will she find the courage to be herself before summer ends?

From the publisher

New York Public Library Best Book of the Year Rainbow Book List titleFor twelve-year-old Lucy Stulligross, a boring summer without her best friend turns into an unexpected coming-of-age journey of firsts. Perfect for fans of Kayla Miller and Jarad Greene.With her best friend away at camp, tons of chores to do, and her dad always on her case for being such a tomboy, Lucy is dreading summer. That is, until Milforth’s plan to revive an old carousel for the town’s 150th anniversary brings artist Ray and her daughter, Anaïs, to town.Anaïs is smart, funny, and easy to talk to, and Lucy–who’s used to being judged for her looks and interests–finally feels at ease in her own skin. And she thinks she may feel something for Anaïs, too.Leading up to Milforth’s big birthday, tensions begin rising with locals, thanks to a shifty development company trying to overrun the town. Things also come to a breaking point at home, when Lucy butts heads with her dad over how she wants to express herself as a girl.Can Lucy find the courage to be true to who she is? She’s got the whole summer to find out…

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