Since Last Summer

Reach for this book when your teenager is grappling with the complexities of maintaining childhood friendships while navigating the vast social and economic differences of the real world. It is an ideal pick for a high schooler preparing for the transition to college who feels the pressure of social status or the strain of keeping old bonds alive during a period of rapid personal growth. This contemporary novel follows two girls from very different backgrounds as they return to the affluent setting of East Hampton for a second summer. It thoughtfully explores the tension between wealth and working-class reality, the evolution of romantic relationships, and the search for authentic self-identity. While it features the glitz of the Hamptons, it serves as a grounded tool for discussing class dynamics, the ethics of summer jobs, and the importance of loyalty when life gets complicated. It is appropriate for mature middle schoolers and high schoolers who enjoy realistic fiction with emotional depth.