The Summer Scrapbook, by Florence Migga

     The first book by new author Florence Migga reminded me a lot of an older series by Ann Breshares called The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. Where Pants was meant for a slightly older audience (upper middle and high school), The Summer Scrapbook is written more for younger readers. In this book, three best friends are set to spend the summer before they begin high school in three different places, instead of together, like they usually do. Ava is going to London with her family, which she desperately does not want to do. Becca is being sent to a summer camp, something she desperately does not want to do, either. Cat is not going anywhere, facing a summer at home without her besties, to hang out with...who, exactly? Not the summer any of them wanted!

    Against this backdrop, author Migga writes three unfolding stories of self discovery, the strengths of friendship versus distance and time apart, and, of course, a little romance! All three girls find things about themselves and the world they didn't know before, which makes this a nice teen discovery book. However, unlike The Traveling Pants, there are no pants connecting the girls, and the overall story just didn't quite come together for me. I enjoyed the book overall, but also found myself wishing it were done as I wondered at times what I would read next. That isn't the sign of an award-winner, but it also doesn't mean you won't like this book, especially if you like a nice romantic story! It's a good first effort, but not life changing. Fun, but not a must-read. 3 paws and a wag, but not 4 or 5.