We all know that fairytale stepmothers are supposed to be evil, but what about step-stepfathers? Anya, the second princess of the kingdom of Trallonia, prefers to avoid her boy-crazy older sister Morven and instead spends her time in the castle library with Gottfried, a wizard-turned-librarian, and the royal dog, Ardent. Her quiet life is thrown for a loop when her stepmother’s new husband, Duke Rikard, casts a spell that turns Morven’s latest princely love interest into a frog. Anya, Gottfried, and Ardent reluctantly embark upon a quest to gather the ingredients for the magic lip balm needed to change the prince back to human form. Frogkisser! (Scholastic, $18.99), the newest work of beloved fantasy author Garth Nix, is a fractured fairytale sure to satisfy. Ages 11-13.
Sara and her two best friends are ready for their summer Reinvention Project. Plans for learning to surf, acquiring a new language, and dyeing their hair are already underway, but then one of Sara’s moms decides to take her family cross-country by train in order to write about the experience for her blog. Even Sara’s friends are excited, but Sara can’t believe how much her plans have changed. Her only sanctuary from her moms and eccentric sisters is an English assignment: write about your summer. By the end of the trip, Sara realizes that This Would Make a Good Story Someday (Delacorte, $16.99)—and that she may have reinvented herself after all. Dana Alison Levy lets readers into Sara’s journal, which contains postcards, excerpts from her mom’s writing, and all of the juicy details of a summer traveling the country. Ages 11-13.
Ultra-popular Briggs Henry has just graduated from high school and is escaping to Lake Michigan for what he confidently predicts will be a cushy summer job as an 84-year-old woman’s personal assistant. Having won the hearts of countless moms and elderly country club goers, he sees his future boss as just another old lady ready to fall under his spell. Unfortunately for Briggs, Mrs. Bosic isn’t fooled by his charm. She immediately puts him to work as her chauffeur to a seemingly everlasting series of funerals. Then, just when Briggs finally feels like he’s getting used to these new circumstances, he meets Abigail, the mysterious girl from across the street. Driven by Erin McCahan’s blunt, punchy writing, The Lake Effect (Dial, $17.99) is ultimately about making your own luck. Ages 14-17.
