Water Balloon by Audrey Vernick

Water Balloon by Audrey Vernick

Marley's life is as precarious as an overfull water balloon--one false move and everything will burst. Her best friends are pulling away from her, and her parents, newly separated, have decided she should spend the summer with her dad in his new house, with a job she didn't ask for and certainly doesn't want. On the upside is a cute boy who loves dogs as much as Marley does . . . but young love has lots of opportunity for humiliation and misinterpreted signals. Luckily Marley is a girl who trusts her instincts and knows the truth when she sees it, making her an immensely appealing character and her story funny, heartfelt, and emotionally true.

With her friendships, family, and first crush all hanging in the balance, can one summer change everything?

• Changing Friendships: Marley's two best friends are suddenly more interested in drama camp and new people, leaving her to navigate the summer feeling utterly alone.
• A Complicated Family: Forced to live in her dad's new house after her parents separate, Marley feels like her entire world is about to pop.
• A Sweet Summer Romance: The one bright spot is Jack, the cute boy next door who loves dogs as much as she does. But is it just a first crush or something more?
• The Worst Summer Job: Instead of having fun, Marley is stuck babysitting five-year-old twin girls who might be more than she can handle.

Audrey Vernick is the author of several picture books, including Is Your Buffalo Ready for Kindergarten? and So You Want to Be a Rock Star. Audrey lives near the ocean with her husband, two children, and two crazy-happy dogs, and is a two-time recipient of the New Jersey Arts Council's fiction grant. www.audreyvernick.comHENRY COLE has illustrated over ninety children's books, including Unspoken, which had multiple starred reviews and was named a New York Times Best Illustrated Book of the Year, And Tango Makes Three, which was widely banned, and I Know a Wee Piggy, which garnered two starred reviews. He splits his time between Florida and Virginia. Henry Cole's website is www.henrycole.net.