NOTE: We teamed up with HarperCollins for this Carousel Summer Giveaway. All opinions are our own; we were under no obligation to give a positive review. Giveaway prize provided by HarperCollins.
Searching for your perfect summer read? Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros is filled with the sunny warmth of new friendships, first crushes, and discovering the courage to be your true self.
🎠EXCLUSIVE DRAWING GUIDE: Want to learn how to draw a carousel horse? Carousel Summer author & illustrator Kathleen Gros shares her how-to HERE!
In this new graphic novel, Lucy is kind of dreading summer. With her best friend Katia away at camp, she’ll be spending three boring months doing chores and feeling the pressure from her dad to be more “girly.”
With the town gearing up for its 150th birthday, plans are underway for a big celebration that includes restoring the beautiful old carousel. But the excitement around the celebration is dimmed and has the locals worried as a big developer is trying to overtake the town – including an offer to buy out Lucy’s dad’s store.
When an artist named Ray and her daughter Anaïs arrive in town to help with the carousel repairs, Lucy and Anaïs quickly form a bond. Anaïs makes Lucy feel seen in a way she’s never been before. And feel things she’s never felt before, too. She’s cool and easy to talk to and Lucy has never felt more free to be herself.
Carousel Summer
For twelve-year-old Lucy Stulligross, a boring summer without her best friend turns into an unexpected coming-of-age journey of firsts. Perfect for fans of Kayla Miller and Jarad Greene.
With her best friend away at camp, tons of chores to do, and her dad always on her case for being such a tomboy, Lucy is dreading summer. That is, until Milforth’s plan to revive an old carousel for the town’s 150th anniversary brings artist Ray and her daughter, Anaïs, to town.
Anaïs is smart, funny, and easy to talk to, and Lucy—who’s used to being judged for her looks and interests—finally feels at ease in her own skin. And she thinks she may feel something for Anaïs, too.
Leading up to Milforth’s big birthday, tensions begin rising with locals, thanks to a shifty development company trying to overrun the town. Things also come to a breaking point at home, when Lucy butts heads with her dad over how she wants to express herself as a girl.
Can Lucy find the courage to be true to who she is? She’s got the whole summer to find out…
Carousel Summer
AUTHOR: Kathleen Gros
PUBLISHER: Quill Tree Books
DATE: April 8, 2025
As Lucy finally finds the courage to express her true colors, tensions rise with her dad and make their relationship even more complicated. Thankfully, Lucy has the support of her older brother, the sage wisdom of Ray, and the support of her new friend Anaïs to help her navigate things.
Want a copy of this heartfelt and summer new read? We teamed up with our friends at HarperCollins for a giveaway. Grab your favorite adult and have them enter below for your chance to WIN!
Carousel Summer Giveaway:
WHAT DO I WIN?:
ONE (1) lucky winner will receive a copy of Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros, generously provided by HarperCollins.
HOW DO I ENTER?:
Grab a parent or guardian and have them fill out the form below by April 22, 2025 at 11:59pm ET.
Giveaway runs from 04/08/25 at 02:00 pm ET through 04/22/25 at 11:59 pm. Open to US residents ONLY. Be sure to read the fully detailed rules HERE before entering.
NOTE: THIS GIVEAWAY HAS ENDED AND THE WINNER HAS BEEN CONTACTED.
You must be 18 or older to enter. Please, only ONE entry per person. If selected as a winner, we will provide your parent/guardian with an affidavit to confirm that you are a valid winner who has permission to win. They will be REQUIRED to sign and return the affidavit to YAYOMG! to claim your prize. Prizes will NOT be mailed out without signed parental consent.
🎠LEARN TO DRAW A CAROUSEL HORSE: Kathleen Gros shared a step-by-step guide to drawing perfect carousel horses, inspired by the book – CLICK HERE!
