Emily Hughes and Sloane Williams are best friends and bring the best out in each other. Before Sloane came into Emily's life two years earlier, Emily had a hard time coming out of her shell and doing social things. Once she and Sloane became friends, Emily was yanked out of her shell because her best friend was a "social tornado". So, you would think that an epic summer was about to begin until Emily can't get a hold of Sloane. She has just disappeared without a trace, and then a list of things for Emily to do shows up at her house. Hopefully, this will help her find her best friend.
Emily Hughes never expected a summer like this, until her best friend left without a trace and left her a list and three months of endless possibilities. Due to Sloane's sudden disappearance, Emily makes friends with Frank Porter, Matt Collins and Dawn Finley who help her face her fears while checking stuff off Sloane's list.
The ideas I am about to share with you can be found throughout this wonderful YA Novel. Some items come from Sloane's list, which she left behind when she disappeared at the beginning of summer, and the others are what Emily does with the friends she makes because of the list.
Here we go:
Indoor camping
Collins and Frank had planned a weekend camping trip, but when the weekend approached, they did not get to go. The morning of the camping trip, Frank and Collins woke up to pouring down rain. Frank had the perfect replacement, but it did not involve the outdoors. Instead, he called up the rest of the gang and said to come to an address. When Emily pulled up, at the same time as Dawn, she realized it was one of Frank's parent's realtor's houses. This was a night, Emily would never forget.
Sleeping under the stars
Camping is very important to the guys in this novel, especially if it is a father and son trip. Emily's little brother, Beckett , and their father were supposed to go camping this Summer. Unfortunately, his father canceled because he was still busy writing plays with their mother. So, to check something off the list and spend time with her brother, Emily crept into Beckett's room late one night and said to come outside in 10 minutes. She had set up a campsite to sleep under the stars.
Ride a horse
Sloane knew that Emily has a fear of horses, so of course she puts that on the list. This one took many attempts, visiting riding places and her friend's encouragement for Emily to even ride a horse in a circle, but she did it! I can check this one off.
Running with a friend with a good music mix
Making new friends 101, by Emily Hughes and Frank Porter. Emily was a cross-country runner for their high school, so Frank knew who to ask when he wanted to start training to be a better runner. Then, here comes the different taste in music. She preferred country mostly and playlist with names. He liked the Beatles, comedy, and others with just the title "Mix" with a number.
Take a road trip to see a friend
Even when Emily was shunned by all three friends, she still asked the most important one to help her see Sloane. Emily had connected the dots to lead her all the way to her best friend. With both parents, driving the family car that weekend, she was forced to ask Frank to drive her. Road trips make for the best stories, reunions, and new memories.
Go to a drive-in movie
This one is my favorites because Sloane and Emily have the best ideas when it comes to enjoying a drive-in movie. Before they could drive on their own, they got blankets and pillows and sat in front of all the cars. So when Emily could drive, they filled the back of the Volvo with blankets, pillows, and bought their favorite snacks. All that was left was to crawl in the back, shut the door and raise the hatch. Best night ever!
Eat ice cream cones
This one is just for those fun, silly days! You can't go wrong with an ice cream cone and your favorite person on a hot Summer day.
Share a huge pizza with your best friend while sharing secrets
Technically, they skipped school to do this, but this is also considered a summer adventure must! Pick up a big pizza, drive to your favorite spot, and just talk about anything and everything with your best friend.
Share secrets with a new friend late at night
Frank's house set right off the beach and one night it was just him and Emily hanging out. They shared secrets well into the night, and at this point, they had hardly known each other.
Dance all night
Just put some awesome dance music on or go to a fancy party with your friends. Have fun dancing even if you are horrible. I know I am, but I still dance like no one is watching and so should you!
Kiss someone you like in the pouring rain
Frank asked Emily for a ride home after a party one afternoon that was threatening a down pour of rain and high wind. Emily drove as fast as possible because her roof didn't close so rain would fall in on them, and sure enough it did just that. Finally, at Frank's house, he remains in the car, and suddenly the mood changes between them. Instead of saying what she wanted to, she kissed him and he kissed back. With raining pouring down, it was one of the best moments of the book.
Face your fears
This was a summer of Emily facing her biggest fears: making new friends (not a big one, just talking to new people in general), riding horses, skinny dipping, and more.
Take pictures with disposal cameras
Go old school for the summer, so much more fun this way.
I recommend that you all go out and buy this novel, so you can read more about Emily's adventures. You will definitely want all the juicy details that cover the pages of this amazing novel!
