This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Jillian Tamaki

This One Summer is a coming-of-age graphic novel that tells the story of Rose and Windy, two girls whose families vacation at the same beach every year. They swim, watch movies, and BBQ. But this summer is a little different. Rose’s parents won’t stop fighting and the girls get caught up in some of the small town secrets. This story does a very good job walking the line between childish innocence and young adult tumult. The art is gorgeous and helps portray the feeling of carefree summers mixed with confused emotion, sadness, awkwardness and ultimately hope. It’s a good summer read.