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A review by sarahcvo
Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
4.0
I hadn't heard of this book until I read that it had been banned (along with Kurt Vonnegut's Slaughterhouse-Five) from a Missouri high school for "teaching principles contrary to the Bible." Those who complained said it "sensationalized sexual promiscuity and included questionable language, drunkenness, lying to parents and a lack of remorse." So of course I had to read it for myself to find out!
I suppose that the complaints are true, on the surface, but all of that misses the real point of the story. It is about two best friends, Anna and Frankie, learning to cope with the death of Frankie's brother, Matt, who was Anna's secret first love. Real emotional issues are explored with sensitivity. The writing is lyrical without being saccharine. And the girls' behavior during the summer - sneaking out to meet boys on the beach, drinking, talking about sex - is not unrealistic teenage behavior. Perhaps it is not for everyone, but I wouldn't say the book actively promotes bad behavior. Instead, it shows one girl's journey toward maturity, coming to terms with loss.
I suppose that the complaints are true, on the surface, but all of that misses the real point of the story. It is about two best friends, Anna and Frankie, learning to cope with the death of Frankie's brother, Matt, who was Anna's secret first love. Real emotional issues are explored with sensitivity. The writing is lyrical without being saccharine. And the girls' behavior during the summer - sneaking out to meet boys on the beach, drinking, talking about sex - is not unrealistic teenage behavior. Perhaps it is not for everyone, but I wouldn't say the book actively promotes bad behavior. Instead, it shows one girl's journey toward maturity, coming to terms with loss.