Carousel Summer - by Kathleen Gros (Paperback)

About the Book

"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 Anaèis to town. Anaèis 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 Anaèis, 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"--

Book Synopsis

• New York Public Library Best Book of the Year
• Rainbow Book List title

For 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 150^th 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...

Review Quotes

"By blending queer joy with thoughtful ruminations on change and tradition, and interweaving classic coming-of-age angst with broader social themes, Gros celebrates self-discovery and resilience, making for a richly textured graphic novel." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"An engaging coming-of-age story where not only does the tween protagonist learn about herself but she also gets to share lessons about courage and taking risks to help others with the adults in her life." - Booklist

"This heartwarming graphic novel delves into themes of identity, belonging, and courage. Gros's illustrations capture the story's timeless charm. Perfect for fans of Kayla Miller, this is a must-have for libraries serving upper elementary and middle school readers." - School Library Journal