Carousel summer

Lucy expects her summer to be a series of boring days full of chores, helping out at the bookstore, and missing best friend Katia, who is away at camp having entirely too much fun without her. But an artist, Ray, and her daughter, Anaïs, come to recreate the town's carousel while a development firm is trying to buy up properties--including her dad's store--in order to build condos. Now, Lucy's days involve listening to her dad and brother fight over what's best for the family, dealing with the confusing feelings prompted by her admiration of Ray's butch style, and deciding what she can actually share with Katia. The heightened emotions of Lucy, her family, and other townspeople are expertly contrasted in the art with the syrupy glow of lazy summer days and the natural beauty near the town. An engaging coming-of-age story where not only does the tween protagonist learn about herself but she also gets to share lessons about courage and taking risks to help others with the adults in her life.

When her best friend heads to summer camp, 12-year-old Lucy is left to her own devices in a small town called Milford. As the season progresses, she navigates a budding romance with confident bisexual visitor Anaïs and comes to understand more about who she is and who she wants to be. Lucy's acts of self-assertion become points of tension in her relationship with her single father, who is facing his own alienation by the community. Digital illustrations feature clean linework and a warm palette that evokes a nostalgic summer atmosphere; colors shift to more muted tones during Lucy's private moments of self-reflection. Expressive character designs and clever visual metaphors--such as Milford's carousel restoration symbolizing renewal--enhance the story's emotional resonance, and quiet, intimate moments, as when Lucy bikes with Anaïs or reads on the beach, balance the narrative's weightier themes with heartfelt authenticity. By blending queer joy with thoughtful ruminations on change and tradition, and interweaving classic coming-of-age angst with broader social themes, Gros (I Hated You in High School, for adults) celebrates self-discovery and resilience, making for a richly textured graphic novel. Ages 8--12. (Apr.)

Gr 5--8--Twelve-year-old Lucy faces a long, uneventful summer in her small town. Her best and only friend is away at camp, and tensions simmer between her dad and brother over a new development threatening her dad's store unless he agrees to sell. Lucy's dull routine shifts when artist Ray, who is openly gay, and her effortlessly cool daughter Anaïs, arrive to restore an old carousel for the town's 150th anniversary. Lucy and Anaïs form an instant bond. Anaïs helps Lucy break out of her shell, while Lucy shows Anaïs the beauty of rural life. As their friendship deepens, the girls explore whether their connection is more than platonic. This heartwarming graphic novel delves into themes of identity, belonging, and courage. Lucy's transformation from a shy, aimless girl to a determined, self-assured advocate will inspire readers. Her relationship with her single father, Richard, is particularly well-developed, balancing love, misunderstanding, and eventual growth. Richard remains a sympathetic figure as he grapples with Lucy's budding identity, making his redemption feel genuine. Gros's illustrations capture the story's timeless charm, with characters, who are primarily white, depicted in realistic body shapes. VERDICT Perfect for fans of Kayla Miller, this thoughtful graphic novel is a must-have for libraries serving upper elementary and middle school readers.--Amy Ribakove

Lucy's small-town Ontario summer is rocked by newcomers and a town conflict. With her best friend, Katia, away at camp, Lucy thinks summer will be boring. But then Toronto artist Ray arrives to rebuild the town's old carousel, along with her daughter, Anaïs. Lucy, who's not the girly girl her single dad hopes for, is drawn to the new arrivals, especially after she confirms that butch Ray is a lesbian. Soon, Lucy and Anaïs' friendship develops into something more, and a radical haircut tears a serious rift between Lucy and her dad. Meanwhile, disputes rage among townspeople over selling land to a condo developer. Lucy's grocer father needs the money from selling his store, but others worry that locals will be priced out. What will the town council decide? Lucy's growth into her true self is sensitively portrayed, and kids in Lucy's position sorely need Ray's eloquent and comforting words and explanations. Lucy also finds support in her big brother, and she hopes that Katia--whose delightful letters paint a fun picture of camp--will accept her, too. The developer plot feels overtly educational, with teacherly dialogue explaining different sides of the controversy. Despite some thoughtful points, young readers might find the conflict's presentation of limited interest. Main characters appear white; there's some racial diversity in secondary and background characters. The colorful, blocky, and somewhat static illustrations feature expressive faces. A thoughtful coming-out story interwoven with a town's gentrification worries. (author's note)(Graphic fiction. 9-13) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.