Cricket Montgomery has been thrown under the short bus. Shipped off to a summer camp by her father, Cricket is forced to play babysitter to a bunch of whiny kids—or so she thinks. When she realizes this camp is actually for teens with special needs, Cricket doubts she has what it takes to endure twenty-four hours, let alone two weeks.

Thanks to her dangerously cute co-counselor, Quinn, there may be a slim chance for survival. However, between the campers' unpredictability and disregard for personal space, Cricket's limits get pushed. She will have to decide if suffering through her own handicapped hell is worth a summer romance—and losing her sanity.

Bethany Crandell writes young adult novels because the feelings that come with life's "first" times are too good not to relive again and again. Summer on the Short Bus is Crandell's debut. She lives in San Diego with her husband and two daughters, one of whom is differently-abled. Visit Bethany online at bethanycrandell.com and Twitter @bethanycrandell.

"In her debut novel, Crandell draws from her experience raising a daughter with cerebral palsy, sensitively conveying the impact of stereotypes and hurtful comments without resorting to moralizing. Uncomfortable moments, unflinchingly conveyed, are gingerly balanced with a sense of humor. Crandell creates a maddening yet sympathetic character in Cricket, who is realistically slow to learn her lessons in compassion and human kindness. "
—Publishers Weekly

"[Cricket's] growth is a reminder that acceptance of others is hard work, but good work, too."
—Booklist

“The novel is heartwarming and funny... Highly entertaining—this book will appeal to reluctant readers.”
—School Library Journal

“A surprisingly genuine title in an industry known for spewing out pre-manufactured crap".
—Library Journal