Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A lived in and gorgeously drawn coming of age story reflecting on the power of female friendships of all ages, This One Summer is a nostalgic read with all the warmth of the all too ephemeral season it’s capturing.
lighthearted
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Captures the weird, fun, special energy of a routine summer vacation so well
Rose is on the verge of becoming a teenager, and goes on summer vacation to her family cabin in a small seaside town, just like she has for many years before. She spends most of her time with her younger friend Windy, who serves as the perfect sidekick, as she’s just young enough to not have a problem asking questions or saying outlandish things, while Rose is on the cusp of keeping things bottled up as she figures it out. Rose’s father and mother had unsuccessfully been trying for a baby, and this trip brings up a lot of pent-up resentment and hurt between the two. Of course, neither party addresses the issues straightforwardly with Rose, but she’s old enough to notice the tension and have it affect her. Windy and Rose spend most of their days riding bikes or swimming, and frequenting the general store, which supplies them with horror movies that they’re probably too young to watch. This store also provides them with some teenage gossip, as the clerks frequently have girls around the store and are seen making out with them. Eventually, it is discovered that one clerk has impregnated his girlfriend and isn’t dealing with it in the most respectful or responsible manner. The girlfriend almost drowns at night (whether she tried to drown herself or it was an accident is up for interpretation), Rose notices her and alerts her mother who breaks out of her depression to save her.
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
The story was okay but the graphics were AMAZING. They were truly moving and beautiful. That's what really made the story for me.
I picked this up in an effort to read books that are on the banned book list this year! The art in this is full of life and movement, visually a stunning graphic novel. The story did a great job of showing the awkwardness and mundane of being a pre teen, while exploring family heartbreak and how hard it can be for young people to process and interpret when they are hurting or confused.
I can not say enough about the art in this book. Fantastic, fantastic, fantastic. The story wasn't AS mind-blowing, but still captured one of the most character-forming, challenging, and confusing times in a girl's life when you think you understand more than you do. You want to be so much older until you realize all the weight and responsibility that comes with the learning of life's tougher lessons.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Unfortunately I was expecting much more from this book, not just from the awards it’s won, but also from the synopsis itself.
I appreciated the realistic depiction of preteens and that the story didn’t rush to explain things right away. The art was also beautiful and I loved the setting of a small beach town.
However, it was a lot more reflective and slice-of-life than I was expecting. It was much more about conversations being had rather than things actually happening. On top of that, the climax and conclusion were…well…anticlimactic.
I also wanted more insight into Rose’s turnaround in the end. We already can read her thoughts, so I thought it was a little odd we didn’t get to see her reflections and thoughts that led to the change.
Unfortunately, despite the beautiful art and realistic depiction of preteens, this was a miss for me.
I appreciated the realistic depiction of preteens and that the story didn’t rush to explain things right away. The art was also beautiful and I loved the setting of a small beach town.
However, it was a lot more reflective and slice-of-life than I was expecting. It was much more about conversations being had rather than things actually happening. On top of that, the climax and conclusion were…well…anticlimactic.
I also wanted more insight into Rose’s turnaround in the end. We already can read her thoughts, so I thought it was a little odd we didn’t get to see her reflections and thoughts that led to the change.
Unfortunately, despite the beautiful art and realistic depiction of preteens, this was a miss for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Miscarriage, Sexism, Pregnancy, Alcohol
Minor: Rape, Sexual content, Abortion, Suicide attempt
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This graphic novel is a coming of age story about Rose and her annual summer trip to a cottage. She's not having a good time--her parents won't stop fighting, and her dad even leaves to "work in the city" for awhile. While on vacation, Rose's best friend is a younger girl named Windy, and the two of them rent horror movies and spy on the older kids around the area. There's drama there, too, with cool slacker boys and dramatic teen girls--Rose is the watcher and misunderstands quite a bit. Windy, having grown up with a hippie mom, tries to set Rose straight with some anti-slut discussion, but Rose doesn't get it.
I enjoyed this little read, but there wasn't any earth shattering moments for me. The art is beautiful--love the purple and occasional full page spreads. But, hey, it's middle school, and not much happens to middle schoolers in a summer.
Fair warning--there are plenty of cuss words here, and talk about boobs and sex and questioning. Nothing I wouldn't let my junior high kid read though, although there are parts I'd want to discuss with her.
I enjoyed this little read, but there wasn't any earth shattering moments for me. The art is beautiful--love the purple and occasional full page spreads. But, hey, it's middle school, and not much happens to middle schoolers in a summer.
Fair warning--there are plenty of cuss words here, and talk about boobs and sex and questioning. Nothing I wouldn't let my junior high kid read though, although there are parts I'd want to discuss with her.