The Best Worst Summer

Peyton’s family moves from the only home she’s ever known and from her BFF Lily. It’s only four hours away, but it might as well be a world away. Peyton doesn’t know anyone in the little town of Lake Springs, it’s the beginning of summer, and she doesn’t even know how to meet anyone. Her dad asks her to dig weeds from the garden, and she finds a buried box, a time capsule two girls — Mel and Jess — buried in 1989. A cassette tape takes Peyton to the library to listen to it. There she meets Lucas who offers to help her unravel the mystery of the box. It is no easy task, but Peyton finds a new friend, and her summer is filled with friendship and searching.

Author Elizabeth Eulberg has written a real crackerjack of a story. Told in parallel chapters of Peyton’s story and Mel’s story, this one is a real page-turner. The writing is terrific and the characters capture middle-grade angst nicely. The family issues are very real and will speak to readers. Lucas, wheelchair-bound, perfectly shows how abilities overcome disabilities. This is a real winner. Don’t miss it.