Jacob is Cassidy's best, and only, friend. He's smart, funny, cute and would probably be too popular to hang out with Cassidy. If it wasn't for the fact that he's dead and no one else can see him. Ever since Jacob saved Cassidy from drowning she's been able to part the veil between worlds and see the ghosts beyond. Mostly they just play out their final moments over and over again and are tied to the place where they died. But Jacob is different. Jacob can follow Cassidy wherever she goes, talk to her, and even read comics as long as Cassidy turns the page for him. Cassidy is still trying to figure out her new abilities when her parents surprise her with a trip to Scotland to film their supernatural investigations show. Of course, they have no idea their daughter can actually see ghosts and Cassidy has never met anyone else with her abilities, until she meets Lara in Edinburgh. But there are far more ghosts in a city as old as Edinburgh than her suburb back home in America. And not all of them are trapped in the veil or as friendly as Jacob.

I loved traveling the streets of Edinburgh with Cassidy! The characters are all well drawn (especially my favorite, Jacob) and while Cassidy's parents are oblivious to her abilities they're not complete idiots either and have a good relationship with her. It's classic middle grade spooky but not too spooky without a hint of romance and focused instead on issues of friendship and family. The most ghastly descriptions are safely ensconced in historical detail which adds a bit of distance but still not recommended for the super squeamish. Supernatural fans will find much to enjoy though.

City of Ghosts (Cassidy Blake #1) by Victoria Schwab​

Erica's Picks 
4th - 7th
tags: friendship, fast-paced, global perspectives, horror, summer vacation, supernatural
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When Jo gets bored one summer day, she is delighted to discover a dog walking around town with a basket and shopping list. Jo decides to follow the dog as it stops in at various stores and and the clerks check the list and fill his basket. When Jo is mistaken for the dog's owner and finally makes some friends, she doesn't correct them. But when people complain about dogs walking around without a leash the town is divided and Jo is caught in the middle. Will her new friends still like her when they discover the truth? And will the friendly shopping dog end up behind bars?

This comic is great for fans of realistic comics, especially dog lovers. Both Jo and the reader learn a great lesson in empathy and understanding other perspectives as the issue of whether off-leash dogs should be allowed is debated and finally brought to a resolution.

Pawcasso by Remy Lai 

Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th grade
​tags: animals, character driven, comics, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, summer vacation

Louisa wants nothing more than to spend the summer rehearsing with her violin for her big audition with the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. But her environmentalist parents have other ideas. They went off on an expedition observing toads and sent Louisa to stay with her uncle in the wilds of the Tasmanian jungle in Australia. At first Louisa is scared stiff of the spiders and snakes that could be lurking in any corner, but soon she learns that even more fantastic creatures may be lurking in the jungle. Creatures like the widely-believed to be extinct Tasmanian Tiger. As she learns more about the history of Tasmania and her family she becomes determined to find and save the enigmatic creature that is drawn to her music. But with her uncle's home set to be bulldozed, will she be able to find it before it's too late?

This is an excellent read for music and animal lovers everywhere. The book completely transported me to Tasmania and made me fall in love with its native fauna. Even tasmanian devils are cute as babies. Louisa is a great character who grows immensely over the course of the book and watching her friendship bloom with Colin was a delight. Highly recommended.

Music for Tigers by Michelle Kadarusman

Erica's Picks
4th - 7th
​tags: animals, character driven, contemporary fiction, disability, friendship, global perspectives, SEL, social justice, summer vacation

Everything in Kaia's life is changing. Her older sister is gone for the summer and then is off to college in the fall. If that wasn't bad enough her great-grandfather, Tatang, who has always lived with them, has decided to move back home to the Philippines. Kaia knows she's not like her valedictorian, pre-med older sister, but she thinks that if she can pull off something to make Tatang really proud maybe he won't want to leave after all. That's when she hears about the movie contest with a real red carpet premiere for the winners. With her special effects makeup prowess and her friends' acting and directing skills they're sure to win.

Another sweet family story from Respicio. Tatang is a great character and I loved reading about Kaia's movie-making exploits with her friends. This is a perfect, heart-warming summer read.

Any Day with You by Mae Respicio 

Erica's Picks
4th - 6th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, people of color, summer vacation

Nala was hoping to find love this summer, but she never thought she'd find it at an Inspire Harlem event. The activist organization is her cousin-sister-friend Imani's thing. Tye is perfect and she can't believe he's into her, so she pretends to be a vegetarian and acts like she's volunteering at a local retirement home instead of just hanging out doing puzzles with her grandmother. At first being with Tye is better than her wildest dreams. But soon she gets tired of pretending to be someone she's not. What will happen when Tye finds out she's been lying to him? Why shouldn't she be enough as she is? Soon her dream summer turns into a nightmare.

The theme of the novel is captured by the title and watching it all unfold was incredibly moving. Topics ranging from self-image to activism are explored without it ever feeling preachy. Every character is well-drawn and layered and the way the plot all comes together is masterful. I absolutely adored this novel and highly recommend it

Love Is a Revolution by Renée Watson

Erica's Picks
7th - 8th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, issues fiction, People of Color, romance, social justice, summer vacation

It's Ellen's last summer before college, and all she wants is to spend the time with her best friends before everything changes. But Xiumiao seems like she's already moved on. Then Ellen gets grounded for the whole summer by her step-mother. Luckily her other best friend, Melissa finds a loophole. Ellen's parents are always on her about getting outside and exercising more, so Melissa convinces them to let Ellen out of the house for quidditch practice. At first Ellen only agrees to it because the alternative is being stuck indoors doing chores all day. But soon this all-gender, full-contact sport with a bunch of geeks running around with PVC pipes between their legs starts to grow on her. She finally understands the appeal of sports, and she starts to understand some more things about herself too. It wasn't the summer Ellen wanted or expected, but it will turn out to be one she will never forget.

There's a lot to love about this book full of enthusiastic geeks and misunderstandings. The relationships are complicated and authentic. The protagonists are on the cusp of adulthood and figuring out their identities and exploring their gender and sexual orientation in a way that will ring true to many teens. I am not a sports fan but Ellen's journey from hating exercise to enthusiastic team player was moving. As was the way the characters learned from their mistakes and false assumptions. A great summer read.

This is How We Fly by Anna Meriano
Erica's Picks
7th & 8th
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, family life, friendship, LGBTQ, People of Color, SEL, sports, summer vacation

When their mothers are determined to send them to summer camp, Shirley and Jamila come up with a plan to convince their mothers to allow them to play together instead. Even though they just met, they are happy to hang out on the basketball court together all day. Jamila practicing her shooting and Shirley reading and meeting with the neighborhood kids. But when Jamila finds out that Shirley's an amateur detective, she's determined to help with her cases. Will they find the missing gecko and catch the pool thief? Or will their mothers catch them sneaking around and send them off to camp?

I love this new Sherlock and Watson duo. After some misunderstandings and leaps to judgement, they learn to work well together. The mystery was fun to piece together and every character's personality played an important part. Great for young mystery and comic fans.

Shirley and Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz

Erica's Picks
2nd - 5th grade
​tags: comics, friendship, mystery, People of Color, summer vacation

When Ada Ru's parents tell her they're moving to Scotland for the whole summer, she is not thrilled. But before long she's swept up in a local mystery. The city is by a lake, and not just any lake: Loch Ness, home of the fabled Loch Ness Monster. Ada Ru teams up with a fellow American transplant and a local Nessie enthusiast nick named Hammy Bean to find definitive proof that the monster exists. What follows is a summer that she'll never forget.

I loved this story, and not just because it's set in Scotland (although that certainly didn't hurt). There's a great sense of adventure as they embark on their quest and plenty of humor as well. All of the characters are great from the skeptical but loyal Ada Ru, the cool, guitar-playing Dax, and the always optimistic, blind Hammy Bean. (Not to mention Hammy's dog, Mac-Talla.) This is a perfect story of summer adventure and new friendships.

Nessie Quest by Melissa Savage
Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th grade
​tags: character driven, contemporary fiction, disability, friendship, global perspectives, humor, mystery, summer vacation

Edie never imagined that when she went into the attic with her friends looking for popsicle molds, she would uncover a mystery that would change her life. Edie's mother is Native American, but she was adopted by a white couple and claims to know little of her native roots. Which is why Edie is shocked when she uncovers letters and photographs of a native woman from the past who looks like her and shares her name. Who is this woman? Did her mother name her after this other Edith? Why have her parents kept this all hidden? As she investigates the mystery with her friends, Edie will learn who she can really trust and the secret history of her family.

This is a sweet, gentle story about a girl uncovering her family past and navigating friendships. I loved learning about Coast Salish Indians along with Edie. The premise is unique, but the basic themes of finding out who your true friends are, standing up for yourself, and learning how to have hard conversations with your family are all universal. A great story for young readers.

I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
Erica's Picks
3rd - 6th grade
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