Girl at Sea

Girl at Sea is a 323 page novel written by Maureen Johnson. Johnson is also the author of 13 Little Blue Envelops, Bermudez Triangle and Devilish. Girl at Sea takes place in modern time. This book is the ultimate summer read. The main character is Clio, who lives with her mother, who is an artist. In summer of Clio’s junior year, her mother gets an opportunity to paint and draw the prairie landscape of Kansas. The thought of spending a summer on a farm in Kansas is not a pretty picture for Clio. Clio’s father, who is a millionaire from a game he created, invites Clio to come spend the summer on his sailboat with his new wife stepdaughter, and boat keeper, Aiden. Leaving behind her art classes, friends and a spring fling; Clio leaves for Italy to meet her dad. To find out what adventures lie ahead for Clio, and to see if she finds peace with her new family you must read. I assure you, you will be as surprised as Clio when you read what happens.

            I loved this book! I liked it so much I now have to read it every summer. I would rate this book an A+.

Commencement

            Nervous about leaving for college or who your new friends will be once you graduate? If so, Commencement is for you. This novel follows four girls from very different backgrounds through college. There is Celia, a nice normal girl from the suburbs with a secret drinking problem. Bree, a small town sweetheart who leaves her fiancé behind. Millionaire Sally who has just lost her mother, and April, abused and radical. These four girls meet on their very first night of college and never separate. The book follows their friendship and each girls individual life past college.

            Commencement is a 416 page novel written by J. Courtney Sullivan. Commencement is a feel good story, with a few surprising twists. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for an easy read. I would rate this book an B+.