Scan barcode
A review by hickorynut
Manatee Summer by Evan Griffith
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
This was such a wholesome, compassionate story about a boy named Peter and his summer spent with manatees. It's the summer before middle school starts, and Peter's granddather Papa has been diagnosed with Alzheimer's. This follows Peter's journey as a young caregiver, a friend, and advocate for manatees. Papa's stories of his own manatee encounters help Peter develop a special interest in them, leading to him helping an injured manatee named Zoe and working with the professionals in conservation.
This was beautifully written without overwhelming immaturity. The journey of transition and grief with his grandfather's health was melancholy yet hopeful and compassionate. Peter's relationships with his mom, Papa, best friend Tommy, and Cassidy, the young college graduate who helped him save Zoe, all had significant development and growth. And as Peter learns, he shifts from having a special interest in manatees to being an active advocate and activist on their behalf. This book also did a fantastic job at educating and upholding the respectful regulations that protect manatees and ensuring the focus was on the reality of their need for community care.
This was beautifully written without overwhelming immaturity. The journey of transition and grief with his grandfather's health was melancholy yet hopeful and compassionate. Peter's relationships with his mom, Papa, best friend Tommy, and Cassidy, the young college graduate who helped him save Zoe, all had significant development and growth. And as Peter learns, he shifts from having a special interest in manatees to being an active advocate and activist on their behalf. This book also did a fantastic job at educating and upholding the respectful regulations that protect manatees and ensuring the focus was on the reality of their need for community care.