Be True to Me

It’s 1976 in Sunken Haven, a gated beach community on Fire Island. Jean, 16, is ready to dump her longtime beau, Bertie, for a summer romance with Gil, the nephew of another old Sunkie family. But Gil, who grew up in Alabama, has his eye on Fritz, who hails from Louisiana and has spent the last few summers as a guest of her best friend’s family. Though not exactly an outsider, Fritz isn’t considered part of the in crowd because she’s poor. As Gil gets closer to Fritz, Jean’s jealousies and insecurities take hold and she fights for what she believes is rightfully hers, with disastrous consequences. Griffin (The Unfinished Life of Addison Stone) deftly weaves Jean and Fritz’s voices together to explore their rivalry for both Gil and a coveted tennis trophy. She expertly captures the voice of a spoiled rich girl who expects things to go her way merely because they always have, but Fritz remains comparatively enigmatic. Still, it’s a summer read to lose oneself in. Ages 14–up. Agent: Emily van Beek, Folio Literary Management. (June)