The Summer Before Boys — Nora Raleigh Baskin

Julia and Eliza are family, but they're also best friends.

They share everything, and now that Julia's mom has gone overseas to serve with the National Guard, Julia is going to spend the summer living with Eliza and her parents.

If the situation were different, Julia would be thrilled -- but she's distracted with worries about her mother. On top of that, Julia meets the boy she decides she wants to be her first kiss. For the first time in their friendship, Julia and her thoughts are traveling to a place that Eliza can't follow. And Eliza discovers that it's not any easier to be the one left behind.