Famous in a Small Town

Mills (Foolish Hearts) encapsulates small-town life in this eventful romance set in the fictional community of Acadia, Ill. Working at a supermarket, babysitting for the Conlins, meeting up with her tight-knit group of friends, and fulfilling her duty as president of the high school marching band’s fundraising committee, narrator Sophie Kemper has her hands full the summer before senior year. Her main goal is to get the town’s claim to fame, country star Megan Pleasant, to return home for a performance in order to raise funds for the band’s upcoming trip. When Mr. Conlin’s younger brother August moves in for an undetermined length of time, she becomes infatuated. August seems to enjoy spending time with her, but Sophie is confused by his sometimes hot, sometimes cold responses and his reluctance to talk about his past. Mysteries surrounding Megan Pleasant and August couple with sharp-witted dialogue to show that the town is more than meets the eye—and that people in tiny communities are as complex as those in big cities. Ages 14–up. [em]Agent: Bridget Smith, Dunham Literary. (Jan.) [/em]