Thursday, October 27, 2011

The summer I learned to fly by Dana Reinhardt –ESSENTIAL

Reinhardt, Dana The summer I learned to fly, 224 pgs. Wendy Lamb Books, 2011. $10.87.

Content: G

EL – ESSENTIAL

Drew is a 13 year old girl that hasn’t made many meaningful connections in her life and everyday seems the same to her. While she does love going to her Mom’s cheese shop, it’s not hers. Her best friend is a rat named Hum. When she meets a mysterious boy named Emmett, who happens to love rats, she finally has a friend of her own. When Drew suspects her Mom is secretly dating someone, she is confused as to why her mom would keep this from her, and this creates a distance between them. When Emmett asks her to take a big leap by going on a journey, Drew must decide if its time to make her own decisions.

This is a great coming of age story, and since its set in the 1980’s –it is free from much of the modern day growing up too fast drama potential -cell phones, trampy clothes, and parties. It’s a wonderful story about connection, relationships, and independence. I think students will find Drew’s very natural evolution of thought and decision making processes right in line with what they are going through. The characters are realistic and memorable. The life lessons imparted are so subtle and well integrated that they are almost subliminal =(My perfect definition for sublime reading and right on for student readers).

Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate

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