First published 1997
Mary Lou's summer takes an unexpected turn when Carl Ray, her peculiar country cousin, arrives to live with her already bustling household. The family dynamic shifts as they adjust to this new addition and his unconventional ways. Meanwhile, Mary Lou navigates the confusing territory of teenage relationships when Alex Cheevy surprises her by asking her out. Her friendship with Beth Ann, once her closest companion, begins to fracture as they drift apart and stop speaking to each other. Adding weight to an already turbulent time, Mary Lou must process the death of a neighbor, forcing her to confront loss and mortality. Through these overlapping challenges, she discovers how quickly life can change and how the people around us shape our understanding of ourselves and our place in the world.
Genres: fiction, coming-of-age, contemporary, adolescence, relationships, family-drama
Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: fish-out-of-water, found-family
Setting: Country
Period: Summer
208 pages · Paperback · Pan Books Ltd
Content warnings: death