The Summer of the Fortune Tellers

Gr 4-7–A delightful and engaging read that captures the essence of youthful summer adventures and the magic of friendship. Eighth grade best friends Millie, Nora, and Bea reunite in this follow-up to Fortune-Tellers to spend a month babysitting a set of third-grade triplets. This sets the stage for a summer filled with fun, challenges, and memorable experiences. The besties set ambitious summer goals: have the greatest summer ever, find boyfriends or have a summer fling, forget about home life drama, and get tan. As they navigate summer romances, manage renewed friendships, and handle three wild kids, they discover the importance of being there for each other. One charming element of the story is the use of magical markers to create folded fortune tellers. These fortune tellers, which the girls used to make when they were younger, bring a sense of nostalgia and enchantment to their summer. Introducing the triplets to these magical fortune tellers adds a whimsical touch to the narrative, making it even more captivating. Greenwald’s writing style is straightforward and easy to read. There is little preamble to the action, ensuring that readers are quickly immersed in the adventures of Millie, Nora, and Bea. The book centers girlhood and female friendships, but its themes of bonding, summer fun, and personal growth are universal and can be enjoyed by all. The protagonists cue as white. Millie and Nora are Jewish.