I remember reading a book about a girl who lived in Florida, set in the summer before she went to middle school. The main character was Bailey, she had a younger neighbor named Frances, her mother was an alcoholic, her father was remarrying, and she had an older brother who had graduated high school and was joining the military. It was probably set in the late 80s-early 90s. I remember the line “lord help us Welawanee” as an inside joke amongst the family. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
Lost Classics of Teen Lit: Name That Book! 