Brown, Keah. Secret Summer Promise, The. Levine Querido, 06/2023. 304pp. Fiction. Trade $19.99. 978-1-64614-173-9. GRADES 9–12. HIGH ADDITIONAL.
Andrea and her high school friends have planned out The Best Summer Ever. Of course, friend issues and romances cause problems, but eventually complications smooth out and Andrea ends up with everything she hoped for. Andrea is Black, bisexual, has cerebral palsy, and is in love with her best friend but doesn’t want to ruin their friendship by acting on her feelings. Her ethnically diverse friends and her parents are very supportive and encouraging. Readers will experience all of the characters’ messy emotions along with them as they develop an understanding of themselves, their sexuality, and their friendships. While the end is a bit neat and tidy, there’s a lot that happens to get there. Review based on an ARC.
Joshua Rees—Daly City Public Library