After their last move, she thought her life would never change, but now the moving truck is idling in front of her house again, this time taking the family to Valencia, a small town in southern California known for its bike trails, roller coasters and great schools. But things aren't so great for Summer. She worries constantly that her fighter-pilot mom could be redeployed at any moment, and she struggles to make new friends, finding herself in humiliating circumstances with her neighbors.
Summer sees a glimmer of hope when her parents sign her up for competitive swimming, but she turns out to be the worst swimmer on the team! Inspired by nature and drawing support from friendships both old and new, including those with Grandma "Bachaan," her coaches, and other kids on the swim team, Summer seeks the courage she'll need to tackle life's challenges. It isn't until her little sister is in an accident that Summer truly finds the source of her inner strength and uses it to face her greatest fears head-on.
Hey! Here's my review.
I read this middle grade fiction novel with the eyes of a mother, so found much of it touching, heart-wrenching and insightful. The issues of military children moving frequently has been on my mind a lot recently as I am a military spouse and our family is due to move at the end of the year, so this was a perfect time for me to pick this book up.
I loved that Summer was a mature 11-year-old, not a whiny brat or a kid that kept making bad choices. I enjoyed reading about the unique parts of her life - a garden full of hummingbirds (I've never seen a hummingbird) and her African-American/Japanese heritage. The desire to fit in is universal though, and I particularly related to that - as much now as well as when I was a child.
I listened to the audiobook, which I received free in exchange for an honest review. The narrator was a perfect match for this book, easy to listen to and a good match for a mature 11-year-old protagonist.
★★★★★
- Where: Author Invitation
- Format: audiobook