The Summer Scrapbook

Migga recalls The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants in this sweet, reflective debut about three inseparable friends facing a summer of separation and self-discovery. Incoming high school freshmen Ava, Becca, and Cat have spent every summer together for as long as they can remember, but this year, Ava is traveling to London with her father, Becca is attending sleepaway camp for the first time, and Cat will remain in Chattanooga. Determined to stay connected, the friends commit to talking on the phone, sending letters, and making pieces of a shared scrapbook that they’ll assemble when they reunite. As the summer unfolds, each girl confronts the unspoken fears and habits that have shaped their bond, learning how to make room for change without letting go of one another: Ava navigates London via scavenger hunt alongside her charming British neighbor, Derrick; Becca pushes herself outside her comfort zone by trying activities like kayaking; and Cat tentatively forges new bonds with classmates, including popular girl Janayda. The group’s alternating viewpoints—enhanced by multimedia ephemera, such as the trio’s letters to one another, personal notes, and ticket stubs—offer an intimate look at growing independence and an affirming portrait of friendship in transition. Ava, Becca, and Cat all cue as Black. Ages 10–14. (May)