The Wedding That Almost Wasn't

Neither the course of true love nor friendship runs smooth in Bennett's (Girls in Love; The Bridesmaids) bubbly, if contrived, tale. Three 12-year-olds--tomboy Annie, romantic Cassie and perfectionist Breezy--pledge to be best friends forever, as well as bridesmaids at each other's weddings. But first they have to make it through several imminent weddings, which proves to be no small feat. As coincidence would have it--and Bennett plants plenty of them here--Annie's and Breezy's mothers run a wedding-planning business together, and Cassie's parents own a bridal shop; also Breezy's older sister, Liza, is getting married to Annie's big brother, Greg. Naturally, the three girls decide to get into the wedding-related act, and launch ABC Weddings (an acronym made from the first initial in each girl's name), offering services such as baby-sitting and dog-walking to families of those about to tie the knot. Though seemingly endless squabbles--between Greg and Liza, between Cassie and Annie--put both the wedding and the girls' business venture in jeopardy, middle-grade girls will listen in willingly as Breezy masterminds compromises to both near-disasters. Sunny, easy summer reading. Ages 8-12. (July)