How to Ruin a Summer Vacation — Simone Elkeles

YALSA 2007 Teens' Top Ten

"A breezy read." ―Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books

“Fresh, fun and fabulous! Guaranteed NOT to ruin your summer vacation!” ―Mari Mancusi, author of Boys that Bite  

How To Ruin a Summer Vacation  

Moshav? What's a moshav? Is it “shopping mall” in Hebrew? I mean, from what Jessica was telling me, Israeli stores have the latest fashions from Europe. That black dress Jessica has is really awesome. I know I'd be selling out if I go to a mall with Ron (my biological father), but I keep thinking about all the great stuff I could bring back home. 

Unfortunately for 16-year-old Amy Nelson, “moshav” is not Hebrew for “shopping mall.” Not even close. Think goats, not Gucci. 

Going to Israel with her estranged Israeli father is the last thing Amy wants to do this summer. She's got a serious grudge against her dad for showing up so rarely in her life. Now he's dragging her to a war zone to meet a family she's never known, where she'll probably be drafted into the army. At the very least, she'll be stuck in a house with no AC and only one bathroom for seven people all summer―no best friend, no boyfriend, no shopping, no cell phone… 

Goodbye pride―hello Israel.