Tami Charles

Zuri Ray is back and ready to throw the ultimate end-of-summer party. With her parents' questionable taste in decorations out of the picture, Zuri takes charge of every detail. The food, the games, the entertainment all must be absolutely perfect for her backyard bash. Luckily, her loyal friends step up to help bring her grand vision to life. When the big day arrives, the party does not go exactly according to plan. Unexpected surprises and sudden chaos threaten to ruin everything Zuri worked so hard to build. Now, this spunky planner must figure out how to let loose and improvise. Young readers will love joining Zuri as she discovers that sometimes the best moments happen when things fall apart. This charming story highlights the joy of friendship, the importance of flexibility, and how much fun you can have when you simply go with the flow.

Meet Zuri Ray, a spunky girl with a huge heart who is always willing to go the extra mile for her friends. She is usually up for any challenge, but her loyalty is put to the test when her best friend, Jessie, asks her to join a summer ballet camp. While Jessie is thrilled to practice her plies in tight hair buns and frilly pink tutus, that just does not sound like Zuri at all. She wants to be a supportive friend, but she is completely out of her element in the dance studio. Zuri has to figure out how to put her own unique spin on classical ballet without letting her best friend down. This vibrant and charming story encourages kids to try new things while staying true to who they are. It is a wonderful celebration of individuality, compromise, and the power of friendship.