June is a typical, if angsty, teenager. She loves her friends and her hobbies, and she even likes school. There is one thing that she is not terribly fond of: her looks. She is all but convinced that her looks are the sole reason that boys are not interested in her.

While affable and fun, Micha is also nervous and shy around girls. He is pretty new at all of this kind of socialization, too, mostly because Micha is kinda new at being Micha, never mind that he’s 15 and a little awkward.

June and Micha crash into one another at a poetry slam and really connect.

The two teens make plans to meet up, but COVID hits and changes things. Undeterred, they carry on virtually, getting to know one another better. June is astonished that such a great guy would be interested in her—and Micha feels the same about June.

But all is not rosy in COVID-landia, with the pandemic only serving as a backdrop to even more teenage trauma, the kind that is not fixed by a pint of Ben & Jerry’s. Will truths come out? Will June and Micha figure it out? And really, will they, or anyone, ever be able to go out again?

Level 2+
Total Words: 6,500
Tense(s): present, preterite, imperfect
Glossary: no

©2020. Spanish. Level 2+. High school. 5 x 8 inches. Softcover, 198 pages.

About the Author

Jennifer Degenhardt taught middle and high school Spanish for 24 years. She decided to combine her language skills with storytelling, specifically involving kids and culture. Her books highlight cultural, social, economic, and political themes necessary for continued conversation, both inside and outside the classroom. She hopes her stories will provide a platform for discussion, as anything can be solved—to some degree—with a conversation.