The beauty of summer reading is that it's 100% just-for-fun – no book report to write or test to take – just sheer fun. But with so many great titles to choose from, what's a girl with a hankering for a beach book to do?

Of course, if you're a Harry Potter fan, you already know that the sixth book in J.K. Rowling's series, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, hit shelves on the 16th (see sidebar), but what about the non-Hogwarts out there?

Don't sweat it sweeties…We've scoured the shelves and come up with our summer lit picks. So, before you head out to the sand or hit the road with the folks, pop one of these into your bag and get ready to escape!

If you like drama, read Eleven by Lauren Myracle. This book is a month-by-month account of main character, Winnie's, 11th year. For those of you who love to submit your own stories about boys, friends, and pets to Miss O & Friends, Eleven is perfect for you—it has all those elements, and more.