Fifteenth Summer
Gr 7-10–A story about families, hope, change, and growth. Every summer, Chelsea and her family leave LA for Bluepointe, a charming little town along Lake Michigan, to visit her grandmother. But this year is different, as Granly died recently. As the family settles into her cottage without her, they all try to come to terms with their loss, participating in old traditions and making new ones. However, moving on is only part of what this story is really about. Having destroyed her e-reader, Chelsea makes her way into a new bookstore and meets Josh. He seems perfect–cute, clean cut, and a genuinely nice guy, not to mention that he seems interested in her as well.  As the teens get to know one another over the summer, they become inseparable. At season's end, Chelsea reflects, “Josh was my first love. Even if I never saw him again, that–he–would always be a part of me.” Chelsea's family members are very supportive of one another, and readers can almost feel their love for one another radiating off the pages in this book. This is a perfect choice that leaves readers feeling happy and hopeful.–Jesten Ray, Seattle Public Library, WAα(c) Copyright 2013.  Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc.  No redistribution permitted.