The Best Worst Summer Ever

From the acclaimed author of The Great Shelby Holmes comes a new middle grade story about two summers-three decades apart-and the box of secrets linking them together. This is going to be the worst summer ever for Peyton. Her family just moved, and she had to leave her best friend behind. She's lonely. She's bored. Until . . . she comes across a box buried in her backyard, with a message: I'm so sorry. Please forgive me. Things are about to get interesting. Back in 1989, it's going to be the best summer ever for Melissa and Jessica. They have two whole months to goof around and explore, and they're even going to bury a time capsule! But when one girl's family secret starts to unravel, it's clear things may not go exactly as planned. In alternating chapters, from Peyton in present day to Melissa three decades earlier (a time with no cell phones, no social media, and camera film that took days to develop, but also a whole lot of freedom), beloved author Elizabeth Eulberg tells the story of a mystery that two sets of memorable characters will never forget.

Ever wondered what it would be like to spend the whole summer in Europe with your family? Wonder no more. This real-life travel diary chronicles a journey to four countries spanning 75 days from three very different perspectives of a 40-something mother, a just turning teenage daughter (who would rather be anywhere else), and a younger (and still rational) ten year old daughter. Come along - share in the fun, the sadness, the humorous adventures, and even the short tempers triggered by too much togetherness as this family travels from place to place in The Best Worst Summer Ever!

Intensity skyrockets when a few teenagers on vacation in the Everglades go exploring and stumble on a house used for importing and selling exotic animals. The Everglades were magical—a maze of canals snaking into the surrounding swampland, a wild with monster alligators everywhere. How, then, was Megan supposed to just sit back and not explore the place?The airboat ride out into the thick gray water-world was so beautiful, so calm—how quickly things had changed. She had begged Adam to take her and her siblings out on the boat. But where were Sydney and Luke now?Lost, like she was, of course, but hurt? Dead? It was her impulsiveness that had gotten them stranded out here and drew the poachers’ anger. She wrapped her arms more tightly about the baby orangutan in her lap. How could she live with herself if something happened to them? Would she even have the chance?The now-familiar sound of someone or something sloshing through the muck reached her ears. Who or what was coming? The orangutan bared his teeth at the unknown, and she closed her eyes. She didn’t want to know the answer.She was too injured to climb out of this hole, and calling for help could attract them. One way or another, she knew she wouldn’t be getting out of here alone. It was only a question of who would find her first.

a Brad Finkley book

This delightful picture book from bestselling author Mark Batterson and his daughter encourages young children to make the most of each day--even when they encounter frustrations along the way. Bert’s day starts with stubbing his toe on a toy. Ouch! His favorite shirt is in the wash, so he has to wear his second favorite. Ugh. Then his dog chews up his sneakers. And to make this Saturday even worse, Bert has to go to work with his dad all day. Bert is sure this is the WORST DAY EVER! Then it starts raining as he and his dad take a quick walk. But his dad shows him that, while he can’t control what happens to him, Bert can control how he responds. Every day is a gift, and a bad day doesn’t have to end that way. Whether rain or shine, his dad assures him, Bert can always WIN THE DAY! This charming collaboration between bestselling author Mark Batterson and his daughter, Summer Batterson Dailey, brings home for young readers the truth that they can take charge of their big emotions.

There are a few things / about your best friend that you can only learn / when you see where he's from. Minn knew / that Jake was from the city. But she didn't know / that his grandmother was Korean. That he liked taking bubble baths. / That his brother, Soup, might be an eating champion. / That Jake was a cheater, and that he had a . . . / girlfriend?! There are some things / about your best friend that it's better not / to know. Bouncing free verse and playful black-and-white illustrations combine to make this a charming follow-up to Minn and Jake. Minn and Jake's Almost Terrible Summer is a 2009 Bank Street - Best Children's Book of the Year.

A New York Times bestseller From the author of the New York Times bestselling Love & Gelato comes a heartwarming tale of a road trip through Ireland filled with love, adventure, and the true meaning behind the word family. Addie is visiting Ireland for her aunt’s over-the-top destination wedding and hoping she can stop thinking about the one thing she did that left her miserable and heartbroken—and threatens her future. But her brother, Ian, isn’t about to let her forget, and his constant needling leads to arguments and even a fistfight between the two once inseparable siblings. Miserable, Addie can’t wait to visit her friend in Italy and leave her brother—and her problems—behind. So when Addie discovers an unusual guidebook, Ireland for the Heartbroken, hidden in the dusty shelves of the hotel library, she’s able to finally escape her anxious mind and Ian’s criticism. And then their travel plans change. Suddenly Addie finds herself on a whirlwind tour of the Emerald Isle, trapped in the world’s smallest vehicle with Ian and his admittedly cute, Irish-accented friend Rowan. As the trio journeys over breathtaking green hills, past countless castles, and through a number of fairy-tale forests, Addie hopes her guidebook will heal not only her broken heart, but also her shattered relationship with her brother. That is if they don’t get completely lost along the way.

More than a parenting manual and not just an activity book, this book contains everything families need for a summer vacation spent playing, discovering and growing. Kids need time to just be kids, but with only a little effort, this summer could be the best ever.