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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…
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…
Unknown Binding
First published April 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews
September 7, 2025
Super cute story of a teen exploring their sexuality and gender through the summer in a small town in Canada. Honestly makes me so happy that books like this exist now and that kids get the chance to see themselves represented in media ☺️
April 21, 2025
Rating this as 5 stars to counter the homophobic bigot that left a "review" when they didn't even read it. To be fair, I haven't yet either, but I plan to and will update this review once I do (and I'm sure they won't)! The art and story look adorable and wonderful, and I always greatly appreciate diversity and inclusion in books for any age, as everyone should be able to see themselves and their identity in the media they consume - even more so right now. There is nothing wrong with being queer, whether you're still a kid or in the triple digits. I'm looking forward to enjoying this book!
August 24, 2025
I enjoyed this middle grade graphic novel about a girl's first kiss, and coming out as a lesbian. It's set in a small Canadian town preparing to celebrate its 150th anniversary. They've hired an artist to repair and redesign a carousel that's been out of commission for decades as part of the celebration. The artist, who is a lesbian, brings her daughter Anaïs, bi, who befriends the graphic novel's main character, Lucy. Lucy's dad is part of some town drama: A corporation wants to buy his store to build a large condo. Many townsfolk are against this proposal, worried that it will drive up housing costs.
Some of the character emotional changes seemed to sudden, and the dialogue a bit stilted, but I overall enjoyed this. The art is great, and I will read more by the author.
Some of the character emotional changes seemed to sudden, and the dialogue a bit stilted, but I overall enjoyed this. The art is great, and I will read more by the author.
September 17, 2025
The lesbian representation, the theme of community in a town, the relationships with the brother and the best friend… so adorable and sweet, and so amazing to know teenagers get to read this. Bonus points because I love a long graphic novel, not 5 stars because the art was not my favourite
June 6, 2025
i think my teenage years would’ve looked a lot different if i had read this book as a middle schooler. i’m so glad kids of today get to read books like this that hopefully help them understand themselves just a little bit more 🩷
January 26, 2026
A well-done coming of age graphic novel about gender, sexuality and community featuring a 12-year-old protagonist questioning all three during a summer when her BFF is away at camp. This graphic novel lives in the space I call "middle school experience" as kids are growing up and hormones start kicking into gear. Gros does a great job writing the family dynamic between the heroine, her older brother, and their single father, as well as creates an interesting small town struggling with small town economics and incoming gentrification. A really nice read.
May 3, 2025
4.5 stars
I recently read I Hated You in High School by Gros and loved it so was really looking forward to this book coming out. It didn't disappoint. This queer middle grade graphic novel covers a lot - a whole summer in the life of Lucy who is alone since her best friend, Katia, went off to camp to have great adventures. She's bummed to be stuck in her small town but meets the daughter of an artist in residence, Anais. She and Anais (as well as Anais's mom, Ray) bond over finding cool spots in town and come to realize they might want to be more than friends. There's also a strong subplot of Lucy's dad being stubborn, mean and authoritative, as well as another plot about a real estate company trying to buy the land from a few commercial stores and put up expensive condos in their place. I found the real estate plot a bit boring but the rest was great. I liked how Lucy was shown figuring out her identity and how she wanted to present herself, despite what her dad kept telling her to do. I also loved the artwork and felt connected to the story as I also grew up in small town close to a big one in Canada. I'll be reading some of Gros's earlier work next.
I recently read I Hated You in High School by Gros and loved it so was really looking forward to this book coming out. It didn't disappoint. This queer middle grade graphic novel covers a lot - a whole summer in the life of Lucy who is alone since her best friend, Katia, went off to camp to have great adventures. She's bummed to be stuck in her small town but meets the daughter of an artist in residence, Anais. She and Anais (as well as Anais's mom, Ray) bond over finding cool spots in town and come to realize they might want to be more than friends. There's also a strong subplot of Lucy's dad being stubborn, mean and authoritative, as well as another plot about a real estate company trying to buy the land from a few commercial stores and put up expensive condos in their place. I found the real estate plot a bit boring but the rest was great. I liked how Lucy was shown figuring out her identity and how she wanted to present herself, despite what her dad kept telling her to do. I also loved the artwork and felt connected to the story as I also grew up in small town close to a big one in Canada. I'll be reading some of Gros's earlier work next.
August 7, 2025
Gros hits it out of the park again. This author tells amazing queer stories that are approachable and colourful and full of love and support. This one in particular takes the self-discovery journey into a whole other level roping in learning curves and info dumps about important topics that other middle-grade titles will touch on but not lay out for kids to understand. The section on gentrification was so well done! And readers get to see why folks can be all for it and how it can divide a community.
Ray is such an amazing character. I felt like she became the queer butch mom we all want. She was so gentle explaining her own journey into queerness and how it relates to Lucy, even gentler with Lucy's dad and getting him to be the parent Lucy needed. I want to give dear sweet Ray a hug.
The art style is always a stand out for me - Gros' work are always so colourful with this work culminating in that explosion of colour of the carousel and the summer festival surrounding it.
Ray is such an amazing character. I felt like she became the queer butch mom we all want. She was so gentle explaining her own journey into queerness and how it relates to Lucy, even gentler with Lucy's dad and getting him to be the parent Lucy needed. I want to give dear sweet Ray a hug.
The art style is always a stand out for me - Gros' work are always so colourful with this work culminating in that explosion of colour of the carousel and the summer festival surrounding it.
August 3, 2025
This was really cute. I enjoyed the small town setting, the carousel project as a backdrop, and the way difficult subjects were tackled in this graphic novel. Somehow this managed to pack a lot into a story that takes place over one summer without it feeling like it was too much. Not a new favorite but I really enjoyed it and would read it again.
May 5, 2025
I would have really benefited from this book as a teenager. Some books hit really close to home.
August 2, 2025
Loved this soooo much, so sweet and thoughtful and I loved Lucy's journey to self-discovery. I would have adored this as a kid.
July 3, 2025
For a middle grade graphic novel, this was enjoyable to read even as an adult.
I’ve read one other Kathleen Gros book, and I can now say she’s great at writing realistic emotional conflict. She forgoes the melodrama for touching realism. Her dialogue is great for engrossing you in a scene, and I think the heavy topics of family drama and gentrification here are presented in a super accessible yet informative way that could really teach kids both practical real life lessons and emotional regulation.
The art style is a bit simple, but I think that works for this grade level, and it doesn’t detract from the greatness of the story at all. I would have LOVED to read this when I was 12.
I’ve read one other Kathleen Gros book, and I can now say she’s great at writing realistic emotional conflict. She forgoes the melodrama for touching realism. Her dialogue is great for engrossing you in a scene, and I think the heavy topics of family drama and gentrification here are presented in a super accessible yet informative way that could really teach kids both practical real life lessons and emotional regulation.
The art style is a bit simple, but I think that works for this grade level, and it doesn’t detract from the greatness of the story at all. I would have LOVED to read this when I was 12.
June 25, 2025
The kind of book I wish I had had in middle school. Kathleen handles every facet of coming out perfectly and tenderly in this book. Anais and Lucy’s relationship develops the most naturally I’ve ever seen any graphic novel relationship develop, everything in this book takes its time and it doesn’t feel rushed whatsoever. So lovely!
Want to read
February 11, 2025i loved anne by this author! i can't wait for more
August 25, 2025
It's amazing that I'd never heard of Kathleen Gros until a couple weeks ago, and I've already read three of her graphic novels (oh, and she also created a story for the queer witchy anthology comic, 'The Witching Hours').
The first one is 'Carousel Summer', published in 2025, and I can say with confidence that it is a delightful children's coming-of-age graphic novel, containing vital messages for our times.
Set in the summer (obviously), in a fictional small town called Milforth, in Ontario, at a seaside and with forests and paths and roads for bike rides, and with colourful carousel horse making sprinkled throughout, 'Carousel Summer' is about tween girls figuring themselves out, and having the courage (and knowledge and education) to stand up for what they believe is right, and to be their true authentic selves. It is loaded with LBGTQ+ themes, and discussions on what it means and feels to be queer, especially when you are young, which is wonderful to see in a middle grade graphic novel.
Other themes include appreciating nature, community, thoughtfulness, supporting your local peoples and small businesses, letter writing, bike riding, single parenthood, coming out, loving your kids as their own persons with their own choices - accept and love who they are, it's not hard at all - and uncovering the downsides to gentrification (explained simply to readers), and by extension, capitalism.
It is such an important story for children to read - whether they are queer or not - and the same goes for adults. Many of them may wish they had had something like 'Carousel Summer' when they were young, and confused and trying to figure themselves out in a scary, hostile, hurtful and intolerant world.
I wasn't sure about the artwork at first, as I found it a bit too simple, basic and cartoony, but it grew on me. I grew to admire the bright, shiny colours of everything; much like on a carousel. The character designs and expressions are fitting and aesthetically pleasing.
'Carousel Summer' is just such an adorable, heartwarming, charming, vibrant, and refreshing all-ages graphic novel. Any flaws I can overlook, as it is a must-read. I can tell it was created from the heart, and from childhood experiences.
In case anyone was wondering, the other two Kathleen Gros graphic novels I've read are also queer coming-of-age reads for children: 'Jo: An Adaptation of Little Women (Sort Of)' and 'Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)'. 'Anne' is another one I like.
Quotes to take to heart:
'[...] The thing is, not telling kids about all the amazing possibilities of gender and sexual identities doesn't stop kids from being queer.'
'I know how hard the world can be, and I don't want it hurting you. But it's not fair for me to ask you to be anyone but yourself.'
'I think in wanting to protect you from the world, I ended up hurting you myself.'
'The world can be hard, but what makes it so much harder is when people stand apart and judge those of us who are a little different.'
Final Score: 4/5
The first one is 'Carousel Summer', published in 2025, and I can say with confidence that it is a delightful children's coming-of-age graphic novel, containing vital messages for our times.
Set in the summer (obviously), in a fictional small town called Milforth, in Ontario, at a seaside and with forests and paths and roads for bike rides, and with colourful carousel horse making sprinkled throughout, 'Carousel Summer' is about tween girls figuring themselves out, and having the courage (and knowledge and education) to stand up for what they believe is right, and to be their true authentic selves. It is loaded with LBGTQ+ themes, and discussions on what it means and feels to be queer, especially when you are young, which is wonderful to see in a middle grade graphic novel.
Other themes include appreciating nature, community, thoughtfulness, supporting your local peoples and small businesses, letter writing, bike riding, single parenthood, coming out, loving your kids as their own persons with their own choices - accept and love who they are, it's not hard at all - and uncovering the downsides to gentrification (explained simply to readers), and by extension, capitalism.
It is such an important story for children to read - whether they are queer or not - and the same goes for adults. Many of them may wish they had had something like 'Carousel Summer' when they were young, and confused and trying to figure themselves out in a scary, hostile, hurtful and intolerant world.
I wasn't sure about the artwork at first, as I found it a bit too simple, basic and cartoony, but it grew on me. I grew to admire the bright, shiny colours of everything; much like on a carousel. The character designs and expressions are fitting and aesthetically pleasing.
'Carousel Summer' is just such an adorable, heartwarming, charming, vibrant, and refreshing all-ages graphic novel. Any flaws I can overlook, as it is a must-read. I can tell it was created from the heart, and from childhood experiences.
In case anyone was wondering, the other two Kathleen Gros graphic novels I've read are also queer coming-of-age reads for children: 'Jo: An Adaptation of Little Women (Sort Of)' and 'Anne: An Adaptation of Anne of Green Gables (Sort Of)'. 'Anne' is another one I like.
Quotes to take to heart:
'[...] The thing is, not telling kids about all the amazing possibilities of gender and sexual identities doesn't stop kids from being queer.'
'I know how hard the world can be, and I don't want it hurting you. But it's not fair for me to ask you to be anyone but yourself.'
'I think in wanting to protect you from the world, I ended up hurting you myself.'
'The world can be hard, but what makes it so much harder is when people stand apart and judge those of us who are a little different.'
Final Score: 4/5
July 21, 2025
↠ review: Carousel Summer by Kathleen Gros 🎠☀️
5/5 ⭐️
↠ I saw this book randomly on a MG graphic novel display table at my store, and I was instantly drawn to the cover, and then the premise! Lucy is stuck in the small town of Milforth by herself for the summer when her best friend goes away to camp. With the town’s 150th anniversary coming up, they’ve commissioned an artist, Ray, to redecorate an old carousel to celebrate. Ray brings her daughter, Anaïs. The two girls become quick friends, and maybe even something more?
This story deals with SO many important topics, from gender expression, sexuality, parental conflict, to even gentrification of the town. They were all handled beautifully. I cannot express how important it is to see lesbian representation in a middle grade book. I truly wish there had been more of it when I was growing up. Lucy felt like a younger version of myself, and maybe if I had read about a character like her when I was a preteen, I would’ve figured things out a lot sooner 🫣
Anyways, this graphic novel was such a sweet surprise and I loved every second of it!
5/5 ⭐️
↠ I saw this book randomly on a MG graphic novel display table at my store, and I was instantly drawn to the cover, and then the premise! Lucy is stuck in the small town of Milforth by herself for the summer when her best friend goes away to camp. With the town’s 150th anniversary coming up, they’ve commissioned an artist, Ray, to redecorate an old carousel to celebrate. Ray brings her daughter, Anaïs. The two girls become quick friends, and maybe even something more?
This story deals with SO many important topics, from gender expression, sexuality, parental conflict, to even gentrification of the town. They were all handled beautifully. I cannot express how important it is to see lesbian representation in a middle grade book. I truly wish there had been more of it when I was growing up. Lucy felt like a younger version of myself, and maybe if I had read about a character like her when I was a preteen, I would’ve figured things out a lot sooner 🫣
Anyways, this graphic novel was such a sweet surprise and I loved every second of it!
July 16, 2025
It was the most boring graphic novel I've ever read; I couldn't even finish it. The characters were really boring, and there was no real drama at all. The story felt like it went nowhere.
The plot could have been more interesting and exciting, even if they had changed it just a little bit. It might have been more interesting if there was a bigger plot twist, like why not have the brother like Anais? (I don't know how to spell, lol.) The story was kind of predictable, and I just couldn't stand it.
There were also a lot of stereotypes, such as the angry white dad who found out his daughter was lesbian. Also, the parts where Lucy wrote to her friend were SO boring and didn't make any sense plot-wise. I don't understand why that was put into the book.
Honestly, 1 star. No hate if you liked it. Not my cup of tea. I read this with my sister, and she thought the same thing.
The plot could have been more interesting and exciting, even if they had changed it just a little bit. It might have been more interesting if there was a bigger plot twist, like why not have the brother like Anais? (I don't know how to spell, lol.) The story was kind of predictable, and I just couldn't stand it.
There were also a lot of stereotypes, such as the angry white dad who found out his daughter was lesbian. Also, the parts where Lucy wrote to her friend were SO boring and didn't make any sense plot-wise. I don't understand why that was put into the book.
Honestly, 1 star. No hate if you liked it. Not my cup of tea. I read this with my sister, and she thought the same thing.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 18, 2025
Coming of age and coming out middle grade graphic novel. Lucy lives in a small town, with an older brother and her father, who owns a grocery store. Her mother is out of the picture. When her best friend leaves town for summer camp, she's resigned to a boring summer. Instead, she clashes with her authoritarian father, makes friends with a visiting artist and her daughter, gets her first girlfriend, and sees her town clash over gentrification. The last plot point is the least developed, though Gros actually does an admirable job of showing the various sides of the issue. The strength is in watching Lucy develop and learn to protect her sense of self. There's also a line of queer joy, where possible. Although Lucy's coming out process is very stressful for her, most of the reactions she gets are positive and loving, an encouraging thing to show.
August 3, 2025
This was a big-hearted queer coming of age story set in a small town over the summer that sees Lucy grappling with missing her BFF, being left home alone while her dad and brother are working and befriending the new bisexual girl in town. As she spends more and more time with Anais and her lesbian mom who is working on a special project for the town's sesquicentennial celebration she finds the courage to come out to her dad and best friend who is away at summer camp, while also helping to fight against the new developers trying to gentrify the town. Heartwarming and full of emotional depth, this was a great read perfect for fans of books like Tidesong by Wendy Xu or Girl from the sea by Wendy Knox Ostertag.
May 10, 2025
Carousel Summer: excellent graphic-novel addition to the queer-middle-grade world, and definitely the strongest of Gros' works that I've read. Lots of complex, realistic relationships, and a great balance between personal identity (Lucy's journey rings true) and community issues (gentrification is a popular topic in MG lately, but rarely is it explained in such a clear yet non-preachy way). I didn't love the all-caps font, and didn't quite believe part of Katia's plot, but those were minor issues. Definitely would recommend this one!
May 19, 2025
Lucy's best friend is away at camp, so she is expecting a boring do-nothing summer. But when her city brings in an artist to revive the city's old carousel, things change. Lucy has never felt quite right in her own skin, and meeting Ray (the artist) and her daughter, Anaïs helps her figure out why. Lucy feels at ease with Anaïs and the two spend the summer exploring the town and helping out with the carousel. There is a subplot of gentrification that adds in very nicely. A lovely story about summer, growing up, and possibilities.
October 19, 2025
This book has perfectly bottled a tween summer and I absolutely loved it. The lightning strike of meeting your first queer person and also realizing that your queer, trying to understand a parent while trying to get your parent to understand you, all while the adults are worried about something you don't fully understand. This book covers a LOT but it does it very successfully, and it's a comic I wish I could have stumbled across when I was younger. A lighter version of This One Summer or good for fans of How Could You.
May 11, 2025
Gros's art style is one I don't really like, but this was a cute coming-of-age story that also delved into the topic of gentrification. I do feel like the carousel part of the title was a bit under-focused on seeing as it was in the title. Would definitely recommend to fans of Noah Frye Gets Crushed, with the throughline of a young queer girl feeling ostracized from her friends who are falling for boys and a subplot about gentrification and unwelcome changes that hurt the hometown.
August 13, 2025
This story is so sweet. A coming of age story about a girl finding new friends who help her explore her queer identity. Set over the backdrop of fighting small town gentrification. I don’t know why but this comic is soooo Ontario, both in place setting and identity. And very apt topic for 2025. I just really enjoyed it and I hope more kids read it and find they aren’t alone, even if they live in small towns.
April 23, 2025
This is a sweet coming of age story about first love. The romance part really did seem like how two middle school age kids would act. There was a subplot about gentrification.
The only part I was unsure of was what seems like a bit of stereotyping of a lesbian as someone who wears boy clothes and has short hair.
The only part I was unsure of was what seems like a bit of stereotyping of a lesbian as someone who wears boy clothes and has short hair.
September 4, 2025
Library copy
This had its moments, and I really liked the depiction of a small town and how Lucy was able to bike lots of places. Most of it felt a bit forced and predictable, with the father being very rigid at first but eventually coming around. Both the coming out story and the gentrification ARC felt a bit didactic. Fans of Gros' other work will want to pick this up.
This had its moments, and I really liked the depiction of a small town and how Lucy was able to bike lots of places. Most of it felt a bit forced and predictable, with the father being very rigid at first but eventually coming around. Both the coming out story and the gentrification ARC felt a bit didactic. Fans of Gros' other work will want to pick this up.
September 27, 2025
4 stars (I really liked it)
This book tackled a lot and did it well. It follows a girl who is realizing she is a lesbian but that's not the only plot of the book. It also deals with genrefication and the intricacies of how the community is affected. I loved how supportive her brother is throughout. It was really nice to see.
This book tackled a lot and did it well. It follows a girl who is realizing she is a lesbian but that's not the only plot of the book. It also deals with genrefication and the intricacies of how the community is affected. I loved how supportive her brother is throughout. It was really nice to see.
January 22, 2026
I really enjoyed this LGBTQ+ affirming graphic novel. It was a little bit dated in time period (students writing letters to summer camp), but I don't think that will bother many students. I loved the dynamic between Lucy and her dad--it felt authentic even if he did come around to her side of things a little more quickly/easily than I think most parents would.
April 26, 2025
More than just another middle grade coming of age thing. Smartly balances the courage it takes to discover yourself with the courage it takes to discover the value of your community. A true humanist work. Loved this.
June 5, 2025
Really tapped into the feeling of wanting a crush, first kisses, summers on the other side of the letters from camp, and being unsure if your loved ones will be okay with your undeniable queerness. Omg and meeting an older butch lesbian when you are in a small town 😭
Awesome summer read!
Awesome summer read!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 67 reviews