My Lone Star Summer - Hardcover

summer and Jill is thrilled to return to her grandmother's Texas ranch. It's here she and her good friend B.J. ride bikes, climb trees, and share secrets. But Jill is stunned when she sees the "new" B.J., who is interested in boys, cheerleading tryouts, and rock music. What's worse is Jill thinks B.J. won't be her friend if she doesn't change her immature ways. But whether Jill is ready or not, the changes will keep on coming during that lone star summer.

Gr. 4^-6. Summers at her grandmother's ranch in Texas are usually predictably wonderful, but the summer Jill is 12 brings changes. This year Jill's best friend, B. J., is more interested in boys, bras, and rock music than in bikes and climbing trees. Jill's own emerging feelings about maturing are troublesome and lead her to do crazy things--like drive her friends to town in Gran's car. She spends the summer disappointed with B. J. and having her first crushes, on B. J.'s boyfriend and on a hired ranch hand. The story moves fast, with each event leading Jill closer to an understanding that change is inevitable and growing up can be a special time of life. Jill's friendship with B. J. is challenged repeatedly, resolving itself in a sensitive final passage that, though deep and moving, represents a departure in style from the rest of the book. Susan DeRonne