SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS Release Day!!

THIS IS NO APRIL FOOL'S JOKE, PEOPLE:

Today the deliriously adorable and achingly real SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS by the equally adorable Bethany Crandell sweeps onto shelves and into hearts!

This book, guys. THIS BOOK. I know I say that about a lot of the books I love, but know that when I say "THIS BOOK" about, well, THIS BOOK, I mean it. This book is delightful and funny and snarky and witty, serious and thoughtful and lovable and deep. I'm not a huge contemporary fan -- most contemporary books remind me too much of depressing real life stuffs, and that's not what I usually look for in books.

But this one managed to be about some pretty serious social issues while still remaining upbeat, positive, and glorious enough that by the time I was done, I forgot it was contemporary. I forgot it was YA. I forgot it was a book, even, and all that remained was this freakishly fantastic story about a girl, Cricket, and her struggle with adapting to a new mindset.  And that is what I truly look for in books -- the ability of an author to create such an engrossing tale that I forget I'm even reading at all.

So make all haste to your nearest bookstore or online book retailer and snatch up this book like your life depends on it. Because it does, people. If you don't buy SUMMER ON THE SHORT BUS, you will be attacked by a herd of rabid foul beasts.

(That last part was an April Fool's joke.)

(But seriously you should buy it.)

YAY BETHANY!! YOUR BOOK IS OUT!!