GREAT BOOKS TO READ THIS SUMMER

The It Girl - by Cecily von Ziegesar

From the publisher of "Gossip Girl" comes this awesome spin-off series... it's the ultimate must-have accessory of the summer season! In Cecily von Ziegesar's new series, "Gossip Girl" character Jenny Humphrey leaves Manhattan to attend boarding school at the elite Waverly Academy in upstate New York. Jenny is determined to start completely over from who she was at Constance Billard, and create a new, cool, chic persona. Jenny knows she's up for a challenge when her new roomates are the best friends of the former Waverly Academy It Girl, but she's up for it. Nothing can deter her from her path to being elevated to It Girl status. Not her roomates, not the Disciplinary Committe, nothing. This book gives insight into a new side of Jenny Gossip Girl readers had not been previously privy to, and serves up a whole new set of scandals, intrigue, and gossip. Totally scandalous, "It Girl" is addictive reading! Want to win a set of four "It Girl" novels? Send us an email telling us about your favorite summertime book, and you could win! (Please include your name and full mailing address, in case you win!)

The A-List - by Zoey Dean

"Gossip Girl" series fans will love this summer read, by the "Gossip Girl" author. It's like a flashback to "The OC"! Moving from Manhattan's elite world to "Hollyweird" presents Anna (from "Gossip Girls") with quite a culture shock, but one that she's ready for. White gloves and tea give way to her drugged-out dad in the gazebo and a Hollywood celebrity wedding where she is introduced to Ahi rolls. She discovers that all is not without controversy in LaLa land, and that beautiful girls are not always welcome in the inner circle, especially those who pick up the hunk whom all the insiders are lusting after. Will Anna be able to proves that gorgeous society girls can make it in L.A.? It's perfect pool-side reading. Want to win a boxed set of A-List books? Send us an email telling us why you love Myjellybean.com and you could win! (Please include your name and full mailing address, in case you win!)

The Perfect Summer - by Kieran Scott

If you're not a Mary-Kate and Ashley fan, skip this review! For everyone else, this is a great summer read starring those adorable twins, Mary-Kate and Ashley. "In The Perfect Summer", Mary-Kate and Ashley and all of their friends are so excited when they find out that their Sweet 16 party is going to be on the beach. Things aren't so easy though... but there's big-time trouble when the girls realize that they need a permit. Not only that, Ashley's boyfriend breaks up with her... and Mary-Kate fails her driving test. Will this still be the best party ever, or a blowout bummer? You'll have to read the book to find out! A very fun read for any teenage girl, especially if you're planning your Sweet 16 party.

Summer of Fear - by Lois Duncan

If you are interested in witchcraft or just like a good mystery, you'll love this book! Rachel is a 15-year-old girl who has a normal life, a loving family and friends and the perfect boyfriend. Then her aunt and uncle die in a car crash and her cousin Julia comes to lives with them. Rachel hasn't seen Julia since they were kids and she's excited about having another girl in the house. But once she meets Julia, her feelings change. Julia seems to be surrounded by a kind of magic... black magic!

Summer Sisters - by Judy Blume

"Summer Sisters" is written by Judy Blume, who is one of Myjellybean.com all-time favorite authors ("Are You There God, It's Me Margaret?" is a total classic!) "Summer Sisters" tells the story of Vix and Caitlin, two pre-teen classmates who forge a powerful friendship while summering together on Martha's Vineyard. As their summers together continue over the years, they discover boys, establish crushes, then move on to the more serious business of love and sex. With each new season their relationship becomes more complicated, sometimes verging on destructive. It's an amazing story of two friends who have so much in common, yet are nothing alike.

That Summer - by Sarah Dessen

15 year-old Haven tries to cope with a life-changing summer in this excellent novel. Haven reminisces about when summer was fun, back when her sister was dating a great guy named Sumner and her parents were still together and happy. Back in reality though, Haven is having a strange and stressful summer. Her dad runs off with a weather girl and her sister is getting married to a boring guy named Lewis. Her best friend returns from camp a totally different girl. Even Haven herself has changed and she is uncomfortable with her looks. But by the end of this crazy summer, Haven finds herself and understands so many more things than she did before.

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - by Ann Brashares

They were just an ordinary pair of thrift-shop jeans until the four girls took turns trying them on - four girls who are close friends, about to be parted for the summer, with very different sizes and builds, not to mention backgrounds and personalities. Yet the pants fit each girl perfectly, making each of them look amazing. "These are magical Pants!" they realize, and so they make a pact to share them equally, to mail them back and forth over the summer from wherever they are. Over the summer, you get to hear each girl's story, told in their own letters to each other.

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood - by Ann Brashares

In this sequel to "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants", Carmen, Bridget, Tibby, and Lena share another summer of individual adventures, telling their own stories in their letters to one another. This summer, Tibby attends a film program in Virginia and Bridget (Bee), whose mother has died, impulsively jets off to Alabama to get reacquainted with her estranged grandmother. Lovely Lena tries to protect herself from the heartbreak of loving her long-distance Greek boyfriend Kostos, and Carmen deals badly with her mother dating again and having the nerve to borrow the Pants!

The Summer Tree - by Guy Gavriel Kay

In this magical and mystical science fiction fantasy novel, five university students - Kimberly, Dave, Jennifer, Kevin, and Paul - meet a wizard who takes them to the heart of all worlds, Fionavar, where they discover who they were truly meant to be.

Twisted Summer - by Willo Davis Roberts

Last summer Cici and her family couldn't make it to their Michigan cabin. This summer promises to be better. Fourteen-year-old Cici fits into her new bikini beautifully - surely, 17-year-old Jake will notice. But last summer, Jake's older brother was convicted of murder, and this summer, Jake wants to talk about it. As Jake and Cici investigate the case, Cici's grandmother dies. Although Cici feels guilty for suspecting the mourners, she prepares a list of suspects. When the list disappears, it's obvious that someone knows what the teens are doing...

Wish You Were Here - by Stewart O'Nan

For those who want more than light summer reading, "Wish You Were Here" is a moving study of a family fighting its demons during one turbulent summer. A year after the death of her husband, a mother gathers her family together at their summer home, for the last time before they have to sell it. There's addict daughter Meg, her kids, the emotionally unstable Justin, and Sarah, a teenage beauty who's just learning to use her charms. For mature readers, "Wish You Were Here" is a profound story about a family that keeps on going, while believing their best chance for happiness passed by a long time ago.nt from the waist down. If this exercise is performed correctly, there should be a minimal range of motion (only a couple of inches to each side).