My Summer of Pink & Green

February 15, 2013
In this sequel to My Life in Pink & Green (2009), 13-year-old Lucy returns, industrious, resourceful and determined to succeed. Instrumental in devising a plan to preserve her family's business with the creation of an eco-spa, Lucy is proud of her accomplishments. With development of the spa underway at their family pharmacy, Lucy is eager to immerse herself in the preparations. However, Lucy's schemes for summer quickly go awry. Greenwald explores the myriad challenges in Lucy's life with a discerning understanding of pre-adolescence, addressing universal themes that will resonate with readers. One of the many quandaries Lucy faces is her conflicting emotions surrounding her evolving relationship with buddy Yamir. Also, although Lucy proposed the eco-spa concept, the adults in her family have taken over the operation of the project. Despite these obstacles, Lucy diligently persists in her endeavors--surreptitiously attending a meeting designed to help owners of small businesses and continuing to seek out opportunities for the spa. Ultimately, when the opening-day plans are in jeopardy, it is Lucy's clever ingenuity that resolves the dilemma. Through Lucy's perseverance and entrepreneurial spirit, Greenwald reminds readers that dreams are worth pursuing. (Fiction. 10-14)

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March 1, 2013

Gr 5-8-In this sequel to My Life in Pink & Green (Abrams, 2009), Lucy charms readers once again with her positive attitude and dedication to beauty, make-up, and environmental well-being. The Desberg family pharmacy is about to add an eco-spa with the help of a grant that Lucy won. Looking forward to a great summer, the 13-year-old must deal with a few disappointments and surprises. Her sister brings her boyfriend home to spend the summer, her grandma hires a professional spa coordinator instead of Lucy, and her family's investor brings his immature, socially awkward daughter to spend time at the spa. At the same time, Lucy experiences the ups and downs that come with first boyfriends and a best friend who seems to enjoy spending time with her boyfriend more than with her. Greenwald's depiction of the early teenage years is spot-on, and her use of "tips to have a great summer" at the beginning of each chapter is uplifting and affirmative. The plot connects all story lines nicely as a stand-alone or when paired with the first book. Recommend this book to girls looking for a modern story in which the characters are realistically portrayed.-D. Maria LaRocco, Cuyahoga Public Library, Strongsville, OH

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