Holly Jolly Summer

Gr 7 Up—The summer tourist season is bustling in the stifling hot town of Christmas, KY, as 15-year-old Darby causes a very public disaster at the annual Snow Globe unveiling. Her single father, the town's mayor, encourages her to get a job and be a regular kid, replacing her unofficial position in his office with Marianne, an attractive city-girl type sent by the governor's office to help Christmas become an even greater tourist destination. Darby goes to work at Holly Jolly Land, a local amusement park full of promise, but in need of a little tender love and care. Despite being the most junior member of the maintenance crew and her reputation, Darby gets to know the owner, Nick, a Vietnam vet, and gains a sense of belonging. Her new supervisor turns out to be Calvin, a cute boy from the not-so-distant past, who causes her crush on Roy, the class heartbreaker, to fizzle. Stewart's debut is full of holiday flavor and humor, but also predictability. The sweet young adult romance would make for a light beach read.