Summer of Fear , by Lois Duncan

Book Description From the Publisher:
Why is Rachel the only one to sense the evil that surrounds Julia? From the moment Rachel's cousin Julia arrives that summer, she seems to seep into Rachel's life like a poison. Everyone else is enchanted by her -- including Rachel's boyfriend. But what does Julia really want?

From the Publisher / Library Card Catalog Description:
Summer of Fear by Lois Duncan
Juvenile Fiction - Social Situations
Soon after the arrival of cousin Julia, insidious occurrences begin that convince Rachel she is a witch and must be stopped before her total monstrous plan can be effected.
ISBN 044098324X

Book Review by Kim
(Age 12)

Rachel Bryant reflects back on four summers ago. The summer of evil. The summer of changes. Rachel was 15, when a terrible accident had happened. Rachel's Aunt Marge and Uncle Ryan had died in car accident along with their house worker, Sarah Blane. Julia, Aunt Marge and Uncle Ryan's daughter, Rachel's cousin, had just come back from her summer break to be with her family. Julia went to boarding school. Her parents moved to the Ozarks because Ryan was a writer and wanted privacy.

Now Julia moved in with the Bryants. Rachel's first impression of Julia was that she has deep, mysterious eyes. Is she hiding something?

Anyway, Julia seemed to be so irresistible. Rachel's older brother Peter had a crush on his own cousin. Rachel loses her boyfriend, best friend, and her bedroom to Julia.

Now Rachel is sure something is going on with her cousin. You bet Rachel will figure it out.

This book is exciting, suspenseful, and one in a million. I have to say, I've never read a book like it before. I recommend this book to children and teenagers. People who are superstitious, like being scared, like weird things, or like being excited, this is the book for you. This book also contains cliff hangers at the end of every chapter.You won't want to stop reading until you finish the book. This is the first Lois Duncan book I've ever read. It really gave me a great impression of her writing skills. EXCELLENT! Read this book Summer of Fear . You will love it.

Book Review by Darcy
(Age 12)

Recomended for age 12-teens by my judgment. Rachel's older cousin is coming to live with her family. Rachel hopes for the best. After all, Julia's parents were killed in a car wreck.

Well, when Julia arrives, it's not like what Rachel expects. Julia has really weird eyes. And Julia as a person, is just weird. Julia starts taking over and it's weird. Everything seems perfect for Julia. And she is NOT upset about her parents' death at all. When something bad happens, all the pieces are put together. Julia is bad. Julia is really bad. Julia is ... EVIL.

The ending is one that will surprise everyone. Every person who reads this will be surprised. Good luck and have a SUMMER OF FEAR .