Reader recommendation: The Long Secret

Monitor readers share their favorite picks.

The Long Secret by Louise Fitzhugh. Young adult books from past decades are so much more charming than their contemporary counterparts. Maybe that's because I recognize more of the cultural clues, or perhaps teen and pre-teen characters resonate more when they aren't beleaguered by too much early wisdom. Harriet and Beth Ellen are frustrated, bewildered, sometimes inexplicably joyful in this beachy sequel to "Harriet the Spy" - a lovely way for a 30-something reader to begin the summer list.