Thrill Ride »

Rachel Hawthorne is the author of many books for teens, including Caribbean Cruising, Island Girls (and Boys), Love on the Lifts, The Boyfriend League, and Snowed In. She lives in Plano, Texas, with her husband and two dogs.

Thrill Ride!

One-day admission: $15

Summer job:

Pros:

Living on my own (plus roommates)

Rides are free (but avoid the roller coasters—too scary!)

Super-hot coworker . . .

Cons:

Periodic homesickness

Dressing like Gretel for job in fairyland gift shop

Super-hot coworker . . . and boyfriend back home. Too thrilling!

Children's Literature

Decisions, decisions! Should Megan take a summer job at Hart's Diner in her hometown of Dallas or at Thrill Ride! amusement park far away on the shores of Lake Erie? At home she will have all summer long to cuddle with her new boyfriend Nick. In Michigan she will be far away from the squabbles of her mother and sister as they plan sister Sarah's wedding. Decision made, Megan soon finds herself dressed as Gretel and working in the amusement park's gift shop. And unexpectedly she is thinking that her roomie's brother, Parker, is very appealing. Is Megan—a self-described life-in-the-slow-lane, carousel-ride type of girl—about to enter the fast lane? There are only forty-four—or is that forth-three—Nick-less days to go, but can her relationship with Nick survive a summer of roller coaster ups and downs? A thoroughly enjoyable read about boyfriends, breaking up, and an unexpected summer romance.