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dannafs 's review for:
Twenty Boy Summer
by Sarah Ockler
Anna is an adolescent with doting parents, bright and kind, growing up in the suburbs. Frankie is her very best friend and neighbor. Up until last year, Anna and Frankie were part of a trio, which included Frankie's older brother Matt. Then, Matt died of a heart defect and everything in the girls' world changed.
Anna is left with a secret that she doesn't know how to broach with Frankie: she was in love with Matt, and for the month prior to his death, the two had been taking their friendship to the next level. Frankie is dealing with her grief by rebelling: changing her clothes, flirting with boys, and smoking cigarettes. Anna doesn't know how to deal with it, but does her utmost to remain a steadfast friend.
Then, summertime comes and the girls go with Frankie's parents, Aunt Jayne and Uncle Red, to Zanzibar for a three-week vacation. There's sunshine, beach, boys, and booze. Secrets, squabbles, and sneaking out: a teenage epic.
Sweet and enjoyable. Recommend it. A couple of the quotes about dealing with love and grief really struck true:
"What is the statute of limitations on feeling guilty for cheating on a ghost?" (153).
"And in this moment of pale dawn in the hours before we leave California, I finally realize what has been the hardest thing for me about Matt's death. It isn't that I lost a brother, like Frankie, or a son, like Aunt Jayne and Uncle Red. The hardest thing is that I'll never know exactly what I lost, how much it should hurt, how long I should keep thinking about him" (267).
Anna is left with a secret that she doesn't know how to broach with Frankie: she was in love with Matt, and for the month prior to his death, the two had been taking their friendship to the next level. Frankie is dealing with her grief by rebelling: changing her clothes, flirting with boys, and smoking cigarettes. Anna doesn't know how to deal with it, but does her utmost to remain a steadfast friend.
Then, summertime comes and the girls go with Frankie's parents, Aunt Jayne and Uncle Red, to Zanzibar for a three-week vacation. There's sunshine, beach, boys, and booze. Secrets, squabbles, and sneaking out: a teenage epic.
Sweet and enjoyable. Recommend it. A couple of the quotes about dealing with love and grief really struck true:
"What is the statute of limitations on feeling guilty for cheating on a ghost?" (153).
"And in this moment of pale dawn in the hours before we leave California, I finally realize what has been the hardest thing for me about Matt's death. It isn't that I lost a brother, like Frankie, or a son, like Aunt Jayne and Uncle Red. The hardest thing is that I'll never know exactly what I lost, how much it should hurt, how long I should keep thinking about him" (267).