The Most Boring Summer Ever — Elisabet McHugh

Ten-year old Sara is convinced this is going to be her most boring summer ever. Her whole family is working on their new house, which Sara expects not to be finished in her lifetime. All her friends are leaving town. Celia is visiting her dad in California. Katie is going to Colorado to see her grandparents. Mary K. and her brothers are going to Iowa to visit their father. Even Brad, who is the only boy around who likes to play house, is leaving town. And where is she going? Nowhere! Not only is she supposed to help with the house, she also has to babysit 3-year old Potty all summer. Sara feels sorry for herself. Whatever happened to justice? She doesn't get to go anywhere because her parents aren't divorced and all her relatives live right here in town. And because of the house, they are not even going on vacation. If that isn't discrimination, she doesn't know what is. As usual, Sara's vivid imagination is in overdrive. She soon figures that if her parents would split up, her problems would be solved. Although Sara's attempts at creating discord between her parents at first are successful, they soon have some unexpected results. Reality catches up with her when her friends return from their trips. Celia's dad was so wrapped up in his new girlfriend and her children that he didn't have any time for her. And Mary K.'s father has a new wife who is expecting a baby and that was all that they ever talked about while she was there. By the time school starts again Sara realizes that the worst summer ever, instead has turned out to be the best summer ever.