SUMMER AND JULY

For fans of Rebecca Stead and Erin Entrada Kelly comes a heartwarming, contemporary middle grade story that follows a moving summer friendship between two girls looking for happiness in a world that can be a little cruel.

Twelve year old Juillet is preparing for the worst summer ever. She and her mom are staying in the seaside neighborhood of Ocean Park, California for a month, where her mom will be working at the local hospital and Juillet will be on her own, like always. Her dad is off in Europe with his new girlfriend, and her best friend, Fern... well, she's not allowed to talk to Fern anymore. Fern took the blame for Juillet's goth girl clothes and "not real" fears, like sharks and rip currents and the number three.

While soaking up the warm weather and sunshine, Juillet meets Summer, a local surfer girl who knows the coolest people and places around town. With a little help from free spirited and adventurous Summer, Juillet begins to come out of her shell and face the things that have really been troubling her. But when Summer finally reveals her own painful secret, it's Juillet's turn to be the strong and supportive friend.

Paul Mosier lives near his place of birth in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. He has written two other books for middle grade readers, the critically acclaimed Train I Ride and Echo's Sister.