Books in Southwest Cougars Year 2: Age 13 series

Seventh grade was the year Cassandra lost it all: her crush, her social status, and her best friend. This year she's taking it back. Starting with summer camp, where she intends to employ her new queen bee skills and become the most popular girl in the woods. There's just one thorn in her side, and it comes in the shape of her elementary school friend: Riley. Will she shake Riley off for good or find another way to become Queen Bee?

No matter how hard she tries, Cassie just can't seem to fit in. Excited to fill the summer before her seventh grade year, Cassie enrolls in soccer camp. She can't wait to improve her ball-kicking skills and make a few goals. But Cassie quickly discovers a few obstacles in her path. Namely: herself. As much as she wants to be, she just isn't very good at the sport. Either camp will be her chance to improve, or it will be the last time she ever plays.

She's climbing the totem pole. Cassie can hardly believe it when the popular crowd at school notices her. She's been waiting for this moment for two years, and she's not about to let it pass her by. But it seems they don't want her quite the way she is. They want her to change her hair, her clothes, the way she talks, who she talks to. How much is Cassie willing to change just to be accepted?

It's the end game that matters, and Cassie is losing fast. She's at odds with her best friend, struggling with her weight, and longing to be part of the in-crowd. School is quickly overwhelming her, and it's all she can do to keep on going. When her crush encourages her to run for student council, Cassie thinks it might be just thing to revive her dying social life. And then she finds out she's running against her best friend. Suddenly it becomes an all out war.

The holidays are approaching, and Cassandra Jones is excited to give gifts and receive this Christmas season. But then she finds out her family is running out of money. While her mom and dad struggle to make ends meet, Cassie realizes that the best way to help is to set an example to her younger siblings and find happiness without the material things that usually define the season.

Cassandra's seventh-grade school year is turning out to be a hot mess: she's trying to stay on top of assignments, home activities, and her passions. Instead of being on top, though, she feels she's quickly falling to the bottom. Something has to give before Cassie can't do it anymore. Because it feels like all her strength is gone, and she's coming up empty. Will Cassie find the right balance, or will the stress of this year finally defeat her?