Let’s Summer: YA Book Talk, July 24, 2023

Let’s kick things off with a graphic novel. Both the text and art are by Suggs.

Christine’s biracial, and they are spending their summer in Mexico to reconnect with that side of the family. The first week they’re there, they’ll be solo, then their mother will join.

It’s an unforgettable summer of reconnecting with their family, with fumbling and practicing Spanish, with wrestling their gender and sexuality in light of religious beliefs, and more. It’s both full of heart and full of challenge, and it is the kind of story so many biracial readers are going to connect with immediately.

There’s a powerful storyline here, too, about the realities of documentation and how growing up, Christine did not understand why their aunt was unable to visit Mexico like they could.

This is an indie press book, which I don’t cover a lot here because traditionally published books are enough in quantity in and of themselves to keep up with. That said, this book looks like it’ll check a lot of boxes for a lot of readers.

Thrash is 16 and isn’t into make-up or clothes, and she doesn’t hate her body, even though she’s fat (that’s something her mom would do). But when Thrash accidentally breaks a mirror and learns she has magic within her, now she’ll be subject to one of three gifts of magic…as decided by her mom. Her mom is convinced the gift of glamour is what Thrash needs.

So when Thrash catches the attention of the popular witches at school, they invite her on a road trip to New Salem University. They’ll go to steal their own gifts since they weren’t bestowed with what they wanted.

Along the way, Thrash will be hiding from her mother, and she and her new friends will discover the true meaning behind their gifts.

Let me intro this one by stating Summer is not a season here. She’s the main character.

Summer will turn 18 in a few weeks. Until then, she’ll be surviving by alternating stays at friends’ homes, using the bus pass to get around, and otherwise keeping quiet. Her parents went on the run after they were accused of committing a crime, so she has to keep herself together.

But then a social worker gets involved and now, Summer is being placed with a cousin of hers. She knows little of Olu, except that she was a famous singer and is young herself. Summer is nervous, as is Olu, but this might be the time and relationship both of them need to find themselves again.

Lydia and her sister agree to a summer without boys. They’re spending it with their aunt and her partner in Los Angeles, about 40 miles from their suburban home, as their parents are going on a cruise. Penny will be spending the summer working on her business acumen while Lydia is taking a job as a barista at her aunt’s cafe. The sisters hope to spend the time getting to know themselves and each other even better, without the distraction of boys.

But…Lydia begins to fall for Fran, a girl who has been described as one who leaves a trail of broken hearts behind her. Lydia can’t help herself though, and between time with her new friends group and her job, she sneaks in time with Fran. While Fran doesn’t want a commitment, she, too, finds herself wanting to get a little more serious with Lydia. The problem? This might be going behind Penny’s back and breaking their rules for the summer. Technically, Fran is a girl, not a boy. But technically, it’s still a relationship and putting a wedge between Penny and Lydia.

Andrea spent most of last summer laid up following surgeries for her cerebral palsy. This year will be different. She’s got a list of things to do, and she’s eager to have the kinds of friends who are as game as her.

The problem is her best friend Hailee. Andrea has had a crush on her, and she knows if Hailee knew that, things would change. So Andrea’s bucket list not only includes fun items like a Lizzo concert and paintball and thrifting. It also includes finding a way to fall out of love with Hailee.

The #SummerSisters — Daniella, Carly, Penny, and Lainie — work on a bucket list together every summer when they’re all on vacation at the Jersey Shore. Carly comes up with the list, and it includes both serious and big things, as well as fun and small things.

This year, though, is different. Carly died last winter and the three girls find themselves lost and unsure how to celebrate this summer without her. Besides, they’ve all got a lot going on between Daniella’s acceptance to a music academy, Lainie’s family is moving, and Penny has a new boyfriend.

But when the girls discover one last summer bucket list in Carly’s old purse, they’re going to take it on in her honor. Will it keep them together though?