The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han is a typical coming of age book, with a sweet side. It first grabbed my attention because it was the only non-fiction book in the store! Well, maybe not but compared to all the Twilights, Hunger Games, and House of Night novels this one defiantly stood out.
The Summer I Turned Pretty is written from various points of views, however the most common is Belly. Belly has just turned 16 and is on her way to Cousins beach, where she spends all of her summers. In Cousins, Belly and her family stay with her mothers best friend Susan and Susan's two sons Conrad and Jeremiah. For as long as Belly can remember she has had a crush on Conrad, but he never returned her affections.
This summer everything is different, Jeremiah whom has always been her best friend wants to be more. Conrad who is going off to college this soon, also secretly likes Belly. In the midst of growing up, Belly and her friends have to set aside their own problems and be there for Susan (Belly's second mother)after she is diagnose with cancer.
Belly tries to deal with Susan's diagnoses by making this the best summer she can, because deep down she knows it will be the last for her family. Belly spends them majority of her book reminiscing about the old days and taking care of Susan. The book ends with a cliff hanger where your not sure if Susan passed way or not.
There are two books following up on Belly's story: It's Not Summer Without You and We'll Always Have Summer.
I think this book would be perfect to read in middle school for a number of reasons, 1. the language is clean and not to challenging, 2. This book contains a lot of real life events students can relate to, 3. It has a mild romance which will make the students want to read it. Most children by the age of 13 have struggled through the death of a loved one, divorced parents, or just young love. This book can relate to students on many levels and possibly help them cope with those problems. Even if I didn't use it in core curriculum I would still keep it in my class library along with the two books that follow.
This would definitely catch the interest of a junior high girl who is just discovering boys. I think it's good to have a romantic story out there that is fun to read, but also has a realistic plot line, unlike some of the other "steamy teen romances." I also like the element of the harder parts of life. From what you described, they are very true to life, and aren't dramatized to make the story more exciting. This is important especially for kids who have lost someone, that their pain isn't demoted, but shared.
ReplyDeleteTricia,
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book for the middle school aged students. I think that it would be a great addition to a classroom library. The story line can be very easily related to your female students. I do not see much curriculum potential but would overall help develop their vocabulary while helping them get more proficient at reading. Great choice.
Amanda
I think this book sounds wonderful for a middle school aged child to read. It seems like a good clean book that talks about real issues adolescent children go through and I think a lot of young adult reads will not only find it interesting but also inspiring. Even though Belly is working through some struggles life throws at her, it sounds as though she stays positive and that is a good type of attitude for students to read about. I cannot wait to read this book.
ReplyDeleteSounds like a wonderful book for a middle school girl to read. I don't really know if a boy would be able to get into it though. I think it would be great to just suggest as a book to read outside the classroom for a student going through struggle in every day life and help to encourage them. Looks like a fabulous read. Thank you for sharing.
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