SUMMERLOST, by Ally Condie

The story: Cedar's family has just moved to Iron Creek, but no matter how far they go, they can't get away from the terrible truth: Dad and Ben were killed in a car accident last year, and it feels like the hole in their universe will never close. But as Cedar gets to know a quirky new friend, Leo, and helps him solve a mystery that lurks around the Summerlost Theatre Festival, she comes to realize that just possibly, maybe, she'll be able to move on.

June Cleaver's ratings: Language G; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse G; Magic and the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes PG (grief; death of a parent, death of a sibling) PG; overall rating G. Good for grades 4-7.

Liz's comments: Hand this one to kids dealing with grief, or kids who like stories of other kids living through difficult things, or kids who like mysteries, or kids who like coming-of-age novels....okay, you can hand this to just about any girl, and certain boys who don't mind stories about girls, and you'll find an appreciative audience. (As a many-time attendee at the Utah Shakespearean Festival, upon which the Summerlost Festival is modeled, I especially liked this one!)