Summerlost
By Ally Condie
Age Range: 10 and up
Grade Level: 5 and up
Lexile Measure: 0600
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers (March
29, 2016)
ISBN-10: 0399187197
ISBN-13: 978-0399187193
Publisher’s Blurb:
A tender and compelling contemporary novel for young readers about
facing loss and finding friendship, from Ally Condie, international bestselling
author of the Matched series.
“Kids are awesome. And they are diverse. There are children with different abilities and backgrounds and experiences, and every one of them deserves to find themselves in children's literature and to know that they matter.” –Ally Condie, on Summerlost
Sometimes it takes a new friend to bring you home. It's the first real summer since the accident that killed Cedar's father and younger brother, Ben. Cedar and what’s left of her family are returning to the town of Iron Creek for the summer. They’re just settling into their new house when a boy named Leo, dressed in costume, rides by on his bike. Intrigued, Cedar follows him to the renowned Summerlost theatre festival. Soon, she not only has a new friend in Leo and a job working concessions at the festival, she finds herself surrounded by mystery. The mystery of the tragic, too-short life of the Hollywood actress who haunts the halls of Summerlost. And the mystery of the strange gifts that keep appearing for Cedar.
Infused with emotion and rich with understanding, Summerlost is the touching new novel from Ally Condie, the international bestselling author of the Matched series that highlights the strength of family and personal resilience in the face of tragedy.
“Kids are awesome. And they are diverse. There are children with different abilities and backgrounds and experiences, and every one of them deserves to find themselves in children's literature and to know that they matter.” –Ally Condie, on Summerlost
Sometimes it takes a new friend to bring you home. It's the first real summer since the accident that killed Cedar's father and younger brother, Ben. Cedar and what’s left of her family are returning to the town of Iron Creek for the summer. They’re just settling into their new house when a boy named Leo, dressed in costume, rides by on his bike. Intrigued, Cedar follows him to the renowned Summerlost theatre festival. Soon, she not only has a new friend in Leo and a job working concessions at the festival, she finds herself surrounded by mystery. The mystery of the tragic, too-short life of the Hollywood actress who haunts the halls of Summerlost. And the mystery of the strange gifts that keep appearing for Cedar.
Infused with emotion and rich with understanding, Summerlost is the touching new novel from Ally Condie, the international bestselling author of the Matched series that highlights the strength of family and personal resilience in the face of tragedy.
My Thoughts:
A lovely story of a lonely girl coping with the loss of her father and
brother, and her own feelings of guilt. Cedar and Leo become friends quickly
through working for the local Shakespeare Festival. Cedar, in her loss,
believes Leo must have the perfect family, and is relieved when she finds that,
although he has a good family, it isn’t perfect.
The two bond over Leo’s scheme to earn money by doing an unofficial
tour of the town’s most famous star’s life and death. There is a hint of a
mystery, but they never really find out everything about her, or about her
death, and it’s okay.
When I see Condie’s name, regardless of the age for whom she writes or
the universe in which she is writing, I can count on a strong plot, realistic
characters who aren’t perfect, and lovely prose.
This book has just the right balance of coming of age for the target
audience. The kids get into trouble for some of their escapades—as they should—and
the climactic moment serves to bring people together rather than tear them
apart.
Don't let the page count deter you--the chapters are short and the narrative keeps you engaged.
Don't let the page count deter you--the chapters are short and the narrative keeps you engaged.
Possible Objectionable Material:
Death (before the story starts) of family members, and the ensuing
struggle to move on. Some bullying. Sneaking out and disobeying parents.
Allusion to the star’s divorce.
Who Might Like This Book:
Those who like coming-of-age stories and self-discovery. The suggested
age range is appropriate. Boys and girls can equally relate to this story.
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