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About The Book

Four seventh-grade girls meet in the big city and learn to embrace new experiences while keeping the best parts of home with them in this sweet middle grade novel—from the author of The Last Tree Town and If This Were a Story.

With the arrival of a glossy, cream-colored envelope in the mail, Elena Martinez’s dreams come true: she’s been chosen for the Spread Your Wings Magazine’s Young Flyers program—a week-long summer internship where she’ll get to learn the ins and outs of working for the most popular teen magazine. She heads to New York City, anxious to get away from her best friend, Summer, who is suddenly spending a lot time with another girl from school and being secretive about it.

Once there Elena meets her fellow Young Flyers: Harlow, who can get to the bottom of any story, Whitney, who has spot-on fashion sense, and Cailin, a social media star with thousands of followers and an eye for photography.

As the four new friends explore the city that never sleeps, each girl brings a piece of home, and a few secrets, with them and learns that no one’s life is as glossy as it may appear. But with courage, teamwork, and lots of passion, there’s no stopping a Flyer.

About The Author

Photograph by Janelle Medeiros

Beth Turley is a graduate of the MFA in creative and professional writing program at Western Connecticut State University. She lives and writes in southeastern Connecticut, where the leaves changing color feels like magic and the water is never too far away. She is the author of If This Were a Story, The Last Tree Town, The Flyers, and This Close to Home. Visit her on Twitter @Beth_Turley.

Why We Love It

“Four smart, driven tweens, one exciting and lively big city and all the promises of summer. Full of heart, big life questions, and close friendships.”

—Krista V., Senior Editor, on The Flyers

Product Details

  • Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers (August 31, 2021)
  • Length: 208 pages
  • ISBN13: 9781534476745
  • Ages: 8 - 12

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Raves and Reviews

"A short, sweet tale of expanding horizons, nurturing friendships, and pursuing passions."

– Kirkus Reviews

Awards and Honors

  • Kansas NEA Reading Circle List Junior Title
  • Connecticut Book Award Finalist

Resources and Downloads

High Resolution Images

More books from this author: Beth Turley