The Summer I Saved the World . . . in 65 Days
It begins with Mrs. Chung’s marigolds. Mourning the loss of her beloved grandmother and grappling with the changes her family has undergone in the last year, 13-year-old Nina Ross is feeling adrift. Her attorney parents are largely absent, her older brother is leaving for college, and her best friend has gone boy crazy. After Nina impulsively plants the marigolds her neighbor, who has a broken leg, can’t manage, Nina decides to find out if committing small, anonymous acts of kindness will make a difference in the lives of the people around her, setting off on a crusade to do one good thing for each of the 65 days of summer between eighth grade and the beginning of high school. Hurwitz (Calli Be Gold, 2011) has given readers a sensitive narrator struggling with real, if not terribly dramatic, issues. Insightful writing, realistic dialogue infused with humor, and a sweet romantic element add depth to the story. Tween readers will identify with Nina and may be inspired to emulate her list of good things with their own. Grades 5-8. --Magan Szwarek