The Brightest Stars Of Summer

Description

Wedding bells are ringing on the Cape! It's summer again and Marigold, Zinnia, and Lily are heading back to their beloved Pruet to help bride-to-be Aunt Sunny plan her big day. But cake and decorations aren't the only items on the girls' agenda this summer. Marigold can't wait to escape the embarrassment of being cut from one of Hollywood's biggest blockbusters-especially after she bragged to all of her West Coast friends that she was in it. And Zinnie is trying her hardest to write a story good enough to get into an elite writing program. She finds unexpected inspiration in Marigold's heartbreak over last summer's crush, Peter Pasque, and a cute boy named Max she meets on the beach. But when it becomes clear that Max has eyes for Marigold, Zinnie can't contain her hurt, and it leads her to betray Marigold with an unthinkable sister crime. With a wedding on the horizon, and tension simmering between them, the Silver sisters must overcome their hurt in time to give Sunny what she's already given them: a summer to remember.

Leila Howland was born and raised in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York, where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. The Forget-Me-Not Summer is her middle grade debut. She has also written two YA novels: Nantucket Blue, for which she was named a Publishers Weekly "Flying Start," and Nantucket Red. Leila now lives in Los Angeles with her husband, baby boy, and two dogs.

"Like Jeanne Birdsall's The Penderwicks, this sequel to The Forget-Me-Not-Summer offers a view of a summer of delicious freedom to roam, opportunity for the girls to pursue their passions, and soul-searching. An idyllic romp filled with family, festivities, and forgiveness." -- School Library Journal (on The Brightest Stars of Summer) "Charming. [A] humorous yet thoughtful sister story." -- Kirkus Reviews (on The Brightest Stars of Summer) "THE FORGET-ME-NOT SUMMER brims with hilarity and sisterly hijinks." -- Rita Williams-Garcia, Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Award-winning author (on The Forget-Me-Not Summer) "Howland gives more nuance than is often seen in middle-grade fiction. Reminiscent of the Penderwicks series. Readers will be drawn in, and once inside, they will find a book that might well become a favorite." -- Booklist (starred review) (on The Forget-Me-Not Summer) "Perfect for middle grades and a clean read for all ages, this summer-vacation novel is a breath of realistic fresh air and a welcome addition to any school or public library." -- 5Q, 4P review, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA) (on The Forget-Me-Not Summer) "The real-life dynamics between the sisters [are] humorous and touching. This heartwarming story is hard to put down." -- School Library Journal (on The Forget-Me-Not Summer) "Well-told with engaging characters." -- Kirkus (on The Forget-Me-Not Summer) "This entertaining tale of three California sisters roughing it with their Aunt Sunny in Cape Cod has humor, romance, a little drama and a worthwhile life lesson along with an engaging portrait of sibling ties." -- Buffalo News (on The Forget-Me-Not Summer)