Boys, Bears, and a Serious Pair of Hiking Boots

March 22, 2010
The summer before her senior year, Jenna, a spirited environmentalist, leaves New Jersey for British Columbia to live with her godmother, Susie, and immerse herself in the outdoorsy life she idealizes. She assumes that her “Green Teen” initiative will be well-received and is disappointed to be mocked by local boys and shunned by Susie's goth stepdaughter (“I wonder if all my talk of sustainable eco-friendliness is making me sound like a good Green Teen activist—or just a spoiled brat”). Meanwhile, her best friend is becoming an eco extremist; her parents are edging toward divorce; and local stud Reeve pressures her to keep their romance a secret. Despite her environmental passion, Jenna is believably insecure, but slowly gets her footing, making inroads with her friends and taking inspiration from The Modern Mountain Man's Survival Guide
(“Nature ain't ever going to change for you—you've got to make your plans around what you can't control”). McDonald (Sophomore Switch
) composes a fun summer read, closely examining the conflict between sticking to one's beliefs and learning the art of compromise. Ages 14–up.