It's hard for me to comprehend, but I've heard there are people who don't like beaches. Maybe it's the sand, or the wind, or the sticky salt water...but surely everyone likes a good pool on a hot summer day, right?
So, after celebrating our favorite fictional beaches, let's switch gears, grab a raft, and discuss the best fictional pools.
Here are some of our favorites:
Pool by Jihyeon Lee: Wordless and gorgeous, this picture book will make you want to dive right in to the nearest body of water you can find...and then put on some goggles and stay underwater as long as you can. A whole world awaits you!
The Summer Before by Ann M. Martin: In this prequel to The Baby-sitters Club, Claudia throws a pool party to celebrate her birthday. It's one of the first boy-girl parties in her class, and Claudia is nervous both about that and about whether she's outgrowing her friendship with Kristy and Mary Anne. The pool party scene navigates those complicated emotions beautifull, as only Ann M. Martin can do.
The Mystery of the Purple Pool (the Boxcar Children Mysteries #38) created by Gertrude Chandler Warner: When the pool in the hotel the Boxcar children are staying in turns purple and a host of other pranks occur, the kids are determined to find the prankster. This title is cute and has an unexpected twist!
Otherwise Known as Sheila the Great by Judy Blume: Sheila's swim lessons in this classic middle grade title are the epitome of poolside fun. Emily, who loves Blume, says, "Even though I grew up by the water and practically learned to swim and walk at the same time, Sheila’s fear of swimming lessons was still so palpable to me, because what kid isn’t paralyzingly afraid of SOMETHING?"
Lovestruck Summer by Melissa Walker: Julia 
and I both picked this title, which is a YA romance that hits all the right notes (no pun intended; the book incorporates the music scene in Austin, Texas!). Julia says, "I have always loved the cover of Lovestruck Summer, an abstract, bright and cheerful swimming pool scene." Perfect!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald: Gatsby is known for his over-the-top parties. As Alex notes, the extravagant pool parties featured in the book, with their music, firewords, and attire, are definitely #poolpartygoals.
Cheers, old sport!
