Berry Parker Doesn't Catch Crushes

With her mom's new boyfriend, her best friend's new crush, and her dad's interest in her gym teacher, Berry vows to never catch a crush—and to show everyone how much better things would be without theirs—in this stand-alone contemporary middle grade from Tanita S. Davis, author of The Science of Friendship and Partly Cloudy.

Every year, Berry’s mom, Ivy, visits for a three-week “August Invasion.” And every summer Berry hopes will be the one when Ivy will stay—forever.

Which is why Ivy’s surprise return visit is amazing—until Berry realizes her mom didn’t come for her. Ivy’s back to pack the last of her things, and she’s brought her new “friend,” Mr. Cole to help. When Berry discovers that Mr. Cole is taking a job in England, she’s convinced that Ivy wants to move all the way across the ocean with him, to where an August Invasion can’t reach. Even at school, messy feelings are ruining everything. Berry’s best friend, Lia, rearranges her schedule to have classes with her crush, leaving Berry alone all day. Even Berry’s normally boring dad is making excuses to talk to her gym teacher.

All these crushes are crushing the life out of Berry. Weren’t things better before these extra people came along? Why do things have to change?
Best Friend Drama: Berry’s best friend Lia is suddenly all about her new crush, leaving Berry to navigate the school day all by herself.Parents Dating: Between her mom’s new boyfriend who might move to England and her dad’s sudden interest in the gym teacher, Berry’s family is getting complicated.Realistic Middle Grade Fiction: A relatable and funny school story that perfectly captures the feeling of being a tween when everything and everyone starts to change.An Anti-Crush Vow: Convinced that crushes ruin everything, Berry makes a promise: she will never, ever catch one. But in middle school, some promises are harder to keep than others.