The Summer Before

by Ann M. Martin

Part of The Baby-Sitters Club, book 0.5

First published 2010

Kristy Thomas watches her friends drift apart as summer begins before seventh grade. Each girl confronts her own challenge. Kristy clings to hope that her absent father might return to their family. Mary Anne struggles to convince everyone she has outgrown her childhood. Claudia experiences the confusion and excitement of her first serious crush. Stacey faces the upheaval of moving from New York City and starting over completely. The four friends must navigate these personal storms while their friendship itself faces new pressures. Each girl discovers that growing up means making difficult choices about who she wants to become. Their bond will either strengthen through these trials or fracture under the weight of change. This summer will determine whether their friendship can survive the transition into adolescence.

Genres: friendship, coming-of-age, contemporary, adolescence, young-adult, family-drama

Vibes: emotional, intimate, thought-provoking

Tropes: found-family, personal-growth

Setting: New York City

Period: 7th grade

215 pages · Hardcover · Scholastic Inc.

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