It’s true. Over the last three years, the Candy Apple series has taken the nation’s tween readers by storm. What could be better than another book in the series? THREE more books! Plus, this summer trilogy is devoted to all things young girls love: cute boys, lounging on the beach, road trips, cute boys, art and poetry in hopping New York City, red velvet cupcakes, super hip sunglasses, surfing, moonlight raids of restricted swimming pools… Did I mention cute boys?

But these three books aren’t only about fun in the sun (and cute boys). There’s also some heart --- and heft --- to them. Best friends Liza, Mina and Samantha are sure their respective summers without each other will be dreadful, but it doesn’t quite turn out that way…thankfully. In fact, it’s precisely because the trio is without their usual safety nets that they grow, take chances and blossom. Before the girls realize what’s happening, they’re having what turns out to be one of the most amazing summers of their lives --- and it has nothing to do with cute boys! (Well, mostly.)

Some cool, exciting, and just plain wacky bits to look forward to in the books include an onslaught of newly-hatched turtles on a mad dash to the sea; a museum for all kinds of barbed wire; a hilarious trick played on an ungrateful nephew; a poetry slam and performance art piece; a real-live ghost town; a disastrous subway ride with a serendipitous ending; and a havoc-wreaking hurricane.

     --- Written by Alexis Burling