Sunny’s excited for summer vacation, until she finds out that her best friend won’t be around. She quickly gets bored, especially when her mom keeps suggesting she clean her room and babysit her little brother. The best thing is going to the local country club’s pool, which has a very scary high-dive! She kind of knows this kid who works in the snack bar, and one day when he’s looking overwhelmed she helps out, then gets offered a job. Working the snack bar all summer turns out to be hectic and fun. She watches a romance slowly bloom between two lifeguards, gets to know Tony (her co-worker) better, and even eventually conquers her fear of the high dive. Her grandfather comes to visit, and it’s pretty hilarious how the mom nags the grandfather about the time he spends going out with older women (his age), even while she’s also getting upset at Sunny for coming home with Tony’s extra shirt (Sunny spilled ketchup all over hers. Mom reads way too much into this). I liked that Sunny and Tony’s relationship just stayed at the friend level- she seemed uncertain watching the developments between both her grandfather and his dates, and the older lifeguard kids at her job- so I’m glad she didn’t feel pressured to have an actual something with Tony, yet. They had fun and kinda double-dated near the end, but it stayed that way- friends for now. Nice story. Lots more seventies vibes, just like the previous Sunny books. Which I enjoyed. Brought back some memories.
Borrowed from the public library. Completed on 4/26/24.
