The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Awards))

Average customer rating:

this is a fun book.

Delightful summer read

The Penderwicks

You won't want to put down this relaxing summer tale!

Enjoyable Summer Read

The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy (National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Awards))
Jeanne Birdsall
Manufacturer: Knopf Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375831436
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Book Description

This summer the Penderwick sisters have a wonderful surprise: a holiday on the grounds of a beautiful estate called Arundel. Soon they are busy discovering the summertime magic of Arundel’s sprawling gardens, treasure-filled attic, tame rabbits, and the cook who makes the best gingerbread in Massachusetts. But the best discovery of all is Jeffrey Tifton, son of Arundel’s owner, who quickly proves to be the perfect companion for their adventures.

The icy-hearted Mrs. Tifton is not as pleased with the Penderwicks as Jeffrey is, though, and warns the new friends to stay out of trouble. Which, of course, they will—won’t they? One thing’s for sure: it will be a summer the Penderwicks will never forget.

Deliciously nostalgic and quaintly witty, this is a story as breezy and carefree as a summer day.

Customer Reviews:

this is a fun book........2007-08-15

This book is about a family of four sisters who stay at a cottage in Massachusetts for a few weeks during the summer. The sisters make a new friend and have to find a way to save him from being sent to a military boarding school that he doesn't want to go to.

My favorite part of the book was when Batty got rescued by her sister and Jeffrey from the bull because I didn't know what was going to happen. When Sky met Jeffery they argued but then they became friends and that was kind of funny. And I liked that Jane was writing an adventure book and I was happy for her when she finished writing it. I also liked the end of the book because everyone was happy in the end.

The worst part was when the oldest sister Rosalind fell and bumped her head on a rock when she saw the boy she liked kissing another girl. I felt bad for her and I thought she was going to end up with amnesia or something but she didn't though.

I would recommend this book to other kids because it was a fun summer book. It is about adventures, friendship, secrets and a little romance (but not much). This book is great for older and younger kids.

I would rate this book with 5 stars because I really liked it.

Delightful summer read.......2007-08-08

As a writer who wrote this story with the best intentions of providing a wonderful new voice for children's literature, Jeanne Birdsall has succeeded! The Penderwicks Summer Tale is a most delightful summer read. Take the time to become friends with this terrific family. This summer tale provides many escapades for the family of three girls on vacation and the boy they meet who lives upstairs in the mansion . Fantasy and real life adventures are shared and valuable lessons are learned for these summer comrades.

The Penderwicks.......2007-07-28

My daughter is the one who picked up this book, and for two summers now it has sat unread. Very unusual as my older kids are avid readers, and complete most books in a day or two. This made me extremely curious about what was wrong, as my daughter is the ideal reader of this book: a girl age 8 - 14.

Knowing The Penderwicks is a story of four sisters, and mostly a book meant for young girls, I picked up the book and read it myself. What I found was a nicely written book, though Jeanne Birdsall as a first time writer does quite a few things more experienced writers could never get away with.

Older readers I suspect wouldn't have a problem with this, and that's part of the problem with this book. It seems to be a book intended for young readers, but written to earn points with much, much older readers. I'd suspect that's why it won the National Book award. How could a book with character names like Rosalind and Cagney, that reminesces about places like Gettysburg, cottage vacations of yester year, and is intended for young reades not win an award -- it has all the right ingredients.

The problem is the recipe -- older readers who praise this book never seem to notice the recipe is a tad off. The dialog is clearly that of an adult trying to talk like a child. As a father with children of all ages at home, I know of no children that talk as these children do.

Overall, this is a fairly good book, but it's not a perfect book. It's a simple book with a simple storyline. The message is good, even if the pacing and plotting are off at times.

You won't want to put down this relaxing summer tale!.......2007-07-20

At first glance you probably will not see the plain cover of this book.
But with a good reader's further investigation, you will stumble across this refreshing tale. The Penderwicks is the kind of book that goes best with fresh air, and a glass of Iced Tea. A warm summer breeze, is this books best friend.

The book is about 4 sisters who find themselves on the beautiful estate of Arundel for their summer. While exploring the great gardens, of this lush getaway, the girls meet Jeffrey. Jeffrey is a wonderful boy, who's mother, (the grouchy owner, Mrs. Tifton)is far far, from wonderful! The girls, quickly find themselves and Jeffrey are inseperable, the only problem is that Mrs. Tifton isn't as fond of the Penderwicks as him.

The book has everything. Comedy, action, and a slight tweek of romance.
You would really be missing out, if you ignored this superb story.

Enjoyable Summer Read.......2007-07-10

Although it started out slowly for me, I found myself engaged in the story after a chapter or two. This was well-written and brought back vivid memories of my childhood adventures and also of books I loved reading as a child. Sweet relationships written in a way that I could just picture the sisters and the scenes. Great plot. As a teacher, I'd recommend this to any reader or as a delightful read-aloud story to share.

Average customer rating:

Great.... if you have a sister.
How did this get published?
Readable, pleasant, but lacking substance - 3 1/2
Fun Former Boyfriend
That Summer

That Summer
Sarah Dessen
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0142401722

Book Description

For fifteen-year-old Haven, life is changing too quickly. She's nearly six feet tall, her father is getting remarried, and her sister&150the always perfect Ashley&150is planning a wedding of her own. Haven wishes things could just go back to the way they were. Then an old boyfriend of Ashley's reenters the picture, and through him, Haven sees the past for what it really was, and comes to grips with the future.

Customer Reviews:

Great.... if you have a sister........2007-10-10

No book has ever made me cry as much as That Summer. Yeah, I know it's not Sarah Dessen's best. The thing about this book is that I read it right after my sister graduated. Reading Haven's thoughts about how it would be different when her sister wasn't "across the hall" made me bawl. I could relate to Haven bettter than any of Dessen's other characters. I'll probably never read this book again because I never want to lose the feeling that I got the first time I read it, but I do recommend it to anybody who has had to deal with their sister (or sibling) growing up before them.

How did this get published?.......2007-10-09

At the beginning I liked the book because it had some interesting possible plot lines: the supermodel who had a meltdown returning home, the older sister's old ex returning and making life more interesting, the father marrying a shallow weatherwoman, etc. But here are the problems I have with this book:

- As others have said, there ended up not being a plot! What exactly was the purpose of this book?
- As I was reading it I thought, "WOW! Sarah Dessen is actually writing a book where the main guy character isn't the girl's love interest!" I was happy that Sumner would be able to help Haven become a better person, but that didn't really result in much. (as a side point, why is it that Dessen always ends up bringing in a boy to fix things? Whatever happened to strong female characters not having to depend on a boy to improve themselves?)
- What happened to the supermodel who had a breakdown? I didn't see her story go anywhere, so what was the point? It could have been very interesting!
- The way Sumner's story ended was terrible.

Readable, pleasant, but lacking substance - 3 1/2.......2007-08-23

"That Summer" is not a bad book. In short, it's a glimpse of one teenage girl's summer as she struggles with typical teenage issues, taking everything in her life and discovering that it can be made worse. Haven, the main character, deals with her father's remarriage, her mother, and her sister. Not particularly remarkable. Mostly, though, it's that this story lacks a plot.

Oh, don't get me wrong. A thoroughly readable book. It flew by. I enjoyed catching a glimpse of another's life, even if it was simply a series of events as opposed to the typical dramatic plot format. In a sense, that is both a pro and a con for this book. Yes, it lacks a plot, but on the other hand, it makes for a much more realistic book, one that is easier to relate to.

It was mostly pleasant as well. The relationships they all have with each other are very real and there are some touching moments to the book. Nothing heart-stopping, but still okay. Recommended to someone looking for a quick, pleasant read.

Fun Former Boyfriend.......2007-07-03

Haven feels a little bit like her life is escaping from her grasp. She remembers being small and safe, having her parents together and loving each other, having her sister sometimes be nice to her. Now, though, Haven is quickly approaching six feet tall and she feels gigantic. Her parents are divorced and her father, a television sportscaster, has just remarried, to his television station's weather forecaster. Haven's mother has become the type of woman who goes out to a bar once a week with a new female friend. And the worst thing of all is that Haven's sister is getting married and is unbearably obnoxious and selfish.

When Haven thinks back to when things felt better, her mind gets stuck on one summer, when her sister was in high school and dating a boy named Sumner. Sumner was the type of guy who could bring people together and make everything seem fun. He was nice to Haven and made her sister be nice to her, too. When Sumner came into their house, everyone gathered to greet him. They were all happy.

So when Haven meets up with Sumner again, back in town to work odd jobs before going back to college, all of her memories are stirred up. Could he be the key to her life getting back to normal again? If she tells her sister he is back in town, will she get back in touch with him?

I liked the character of Sumner and the way he always seemed to pop up when Haven needed him. I also liked seeing the dynamics of Haven's family. It was interesting to see the ways she viewed her mother and her father now that they weren't together anymore, and the way she viewed her sister and her wedding plans.

The ending of this book was sort of a letdown, though. Sumner ended up being just a bit boring at the end. Also, Haven's sister was simply over the top. I don't think anyone would have allowed her to behave like she did for so long.

That Summer.......2007-05-28

I would recommend That Summer to other readers because it is an interesting book which describes the challenging life of Haven. I enjoyed this book very much becuase I felt as you were reading it you could feel both happy and sad at the same time. Although this book is ficton; it seemed that this story could be so real at the same time. Typically, girls would appreciate this book more because it is based on a young girl's life. That Summer would be an interesting and adventerous book to choose.

Average customer rating:

A page turner
A+++++++!!!!!!!
Couldn't stop thinking about this book
Givers and takers
Amazing book

Summer Sisters
Judy Blume
Manufacturer: Dell
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0440243750
Release Date: 2006-07-25

Amazon.com

Judy Blume first won legions of fans with such young adult classics as Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret and Forever, in which she tackles the cultural hot button of teenage sexuality. In Summer Sisters, her third novel for adults, the author again explores the ramifications of love--and lust--on two friends. Initially, the differences between Caitlin Somers and Victoria Leonard (or "Vix," as Caitlin christens her) draw them together: privileged Caitlin is wild and outspoken, beautiful but emotionally fragile, while working-class Vix is shy, reserved, and plain in comparison. After Caitlin selects Vix to accompany her to her father's home in Martha's Vineyard for the summer, the two become inextricably connected as "summer sisters."

On the Vineyard, Vix and Caitlin first find love, then sex--and lots of it. Yet Blume soon moves beyond hot fun in the summer sun, tracing the romantic and familial travails of the two from pre-adolescence to adulthood. Solid Vix evolves into Victoria, an equally solid, Harvard-educated, Manhattan public-relations exec. Unpredictable Caitlin opts out of college and travels to Europe, where she has a string of short-lived affairs with a series of intriguing (in every sense of the word) foreigners. It is only after she returns to the Vineyard that Caitlin does the unthinkable, forever changing both her friendship with Vix and their lives. Blume once again proves herself a master of the female psyche, and Summer Sisters is likely to entertain both her postadolescent and more mature readers.

Book Description

No writer captures the seasons of our lives better than Judy Blume.  Now, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wifey and Smart Women, comes an extraordinary novel of reminiscence and awakening--an unforgettable story of two women, two families, and the friendships that shape a lifetime.

When Victoria Leonard answers the phone in her Manhattan office, Caitlin's voice catches her by surprise.  Vix hasn't talked to her oldest friend in months.  Caitlin's news takes her breath away--and Vix is transported back in time, back to the moment she and Caitlin Somers first met, back to the casual betrayals and whispered confessions of their long, complicated friendship, back to the magical island where two friends became summer sisters.

Caitlin dazzled Vix from the start, sweeping her into the heart of the unruly Somers family, into a world of privilege, adventure, and sexual daring.  Vix's bond with her summer family forever reshapes her ties to her own, opening doors to opportunities she had never imagined--until the summer she falls passionately in love.  Then, in one shattering moment on a moonswept Vineyard beach, everything changes, exposing a dark undercurrent in her extraordinary friendship with Caitlin that will haunt them through the years.

As their story carries us from Santa Fe to Martha's Vineyard, from New York to Venice, we come to know the men and women who shape their lives.  And as we follow the two women on the paths they each choose, we wait for the inevitable reckoning to be made in the fine spaces between friendship and betrayal, between love and freedom.

Summer Sisters is a riveting exploration of the choices that define our lives, of friendship and love, of the families we are born into and those we struggle to create.  For every woman who has ever had a friend too dangerous to forgive and too essential to forget, Summer Sisters will glue you to every page, reading and remembering.

Judy Blume's twenty-one books have sold over sixty-five million copies worldwide and have been translated into twenty languages.  She spends summers on Martha's Vineyard with her family.

Customer Reviews:

A page turner.......2007-09-04

I can't begin to describe how this book touched me. There are some parts of this book that touched me so all I felt was nostalgia and like I was looking back at a part of my life I could do over and there were parts that I felt so anxious to experience. For any twenty-something, this is the Judy Blume book you need to read. It's the third adult novel of Judy's on this list (23-25 here are the ones) and it's so fantastic. I'm glad I read Smart Women first because it helped me adjust to the transitioning narrators of this book. There are male and female narrators and I think the biggest key is to notice which narrators are absent. This is a book not for those who consider themselves "grown ups" but probably those who are adults but are still kids at heart. I wanted to cry at this book, to sob from the unfairness of life but it was so moving that I was too happy with it. This book is a celebration of youthly joys and after reading it you'll understand why.

A+++++++!!!!!!!.......2007-08-22

I loved this book! I think it's by far one of my favorites. It has a wonderful way of making you reminisce on your own life, your own friends. J.B. did a superb job! There were parts where I thought "been there! know that feeling!" I enjoyed the point of view that the book was told in, but what I enjoyed most was how you also got the point of view of all characters - how it'd let you know just what they were thinking & how they viewed the situation. GREAT, GREAT, GREAT BOOK!!!! Can't wait for more adult novels by J.B. FANTASTIC!!!!!

Couldn't stop thinking about this book.......2007-07-22

This book was a real page turner. A simple and entertaining read. I only have time to read during my lunch hour and I could not stop thinking about the storylines and characters when I would return to work.

I grew up reading Judy Blume books and have never read anything I didn't like. I hope she writes more novels soon.

Givers and takers.......2007-07-01

I really didn't know what to expect when I picked up this book. When reading a book by an author with works as diverse as "Then Again, Maybe I Won't" and "Wifey," well, I really didn't know how to calibrate my expectations.

But the book was great on its own terms. There's an endearing quality to the protagonist Victoria "Vix" Leonard that can only be achieved by a good author (although Caitlin Somers never achieved the full three dimensions for me, but perhaps that's because her character is secondary). The story is good and moves right along. But what I like most about the book is its theme of vindication: the good and the just are rewarded for their deeds and the unjust are, in one form or another, punished, usually as a result of their own poor choices. I'm not talking about a morality tale per se, but rather confirmation that in life, people who do the right thing generally succeed, and those who do not, do not.

Amazing book.......2007-06-27

I just finished reading this book again for (at least) the sixth time because I read it every summer. I tell every one of my girl friends that she HAS to read this book. Summer Sisters follows the friendship of two very different girls, Vix and Caitlin, from their first summer together at the Vineyard at age 12 to adulthood. Everything that happens between makes the book so readable. There's laughter, tears, passion, new loves, lost loves, heartbreak, opportunities, family, everything! The variety of characters makes the book very colorful, and the way Blume allows readers to glance into their heads is genius. I am a 21 year-old girl and this book makes me wish I were 12, spending a summer in the Vineyard with my best friend. If you are a young woman and remember what it's like to spend summers away from home, perhaps near water, or with a best friend, or perhaps you know what it's like to admire those cute older local boys by the cottage (I definitely do), then you will relish every second of this book. I think everyone over the age of 15 should read this book this summer (and every summer that follows). Read it by the pool. Read it on the beach. Read it in your room. Whatever you do, just read it and NBO:-)

Average customer rating:

A great story of pretend play

On a Summer Day (Lois Lenski Books)
Lois Lenski
Manufacturer: Random House Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0375827307
Release Date: 2005-05-24

Book Description

Play, play, on a summer day.

Summer means the outdoors to kids everywhere. The days are long and full of summertime fun such as swimming and afternoon picnics. This classic 1953 picture book is back with bright colors after being out of print for decades.

Customer Reviews:

A great story of pretend play.......2007-03-14

This book is a wonderful story of pretend play. It is about a sister and brother who play outside in the yard for the day. They pretend to be on a train, be in school, go to church, go grocery shopping. They pretend to be different animals, climb trees, swing on a swing. The pictures show the children making a "train", a "school", a "church", a "grocery store" out of everyday objects -- boxes and dolls and cans and such. I enjoyed reading about children being imaginative and creative and making their own fun and toys. It is a great example for children of what fun they can have not watching TV! It is also nice to see a brother and sister playing so well together. There is a little song included at the beginning of the book that you can sing with your child. The story is very happy and fun.

Average customer rating:

Theresa's Review ; )
Our last read for the Fourth Grade girls summer book club
The Summer of the Swans
matthew's review
summer of the swans

The Summer of the Swans
Betsy Byars
Manufacturer: Puffin
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0140314202

Book Description

This resource is directly related to its literature equivalent and filled with a variety of cross-curricular lessons to do before, during, and after reading the book. This reproducible book presents an exciting approach to teaching well-known literature! It includes sample plans, author information, vocabulary building ideas, cross-curriculum activities, sectional activities and quizzes, unit tests, and many ideas for culminating and extending the novel.

Customer Reviews:

Theresa's Review ; ).......2007-10-01

This book is a mixture of drama,emotions, and different kinds of relationships. A 10 year old boy getting lost,an aunt flipping out, an a bad father,daughter relationship,all in one small book. This book was really interesting to me because I could relate to a lot of the characters. Sara,Mary, and Wanda are the characters I could most relate to,just small details.It is hard for me to capture this book in a few sentences, and I could usually can.

Our last read for the Fourth Grade girls summer book club.......2007-09-11

We really enjoyed the pace of this book. The entire book happened in 2 days. That gave the author a lot of time to develop the characters. It was easy to relate to how the characters felt, especially Sara and Charley. It was our favorite of all the books we read this summer for book club.

The Summer of the Swans.......2007-03-30

The Summer of the Swans is about a 14-year-old girl named Sara. She and her siblings have lived with her Aunt Willie since she was 6 years old because their Mom died and their father had to work far away. Sara has a 19-year-old sister, Wanda and a 10-year-old brother, Charlie. Charlie's had a vast amount of illnesses throughout his life. He is also mute. Sara feels her sister is much prettier than her and that Charlie gets all the attention because he's sick, so she's feeling like she's nothing to her family.

Sara is in charge of looking after Charlie, so she has to take him everywhere she goes. Sometimes they would go watch the swans near the lake. One night, Charlie becomes curious about the swans and goes out of the house (which he's not supposed to do) and down to the lake. He gets lost all through the night and into the morning. Sara notices Charlie's gone that morning and the whole village spends the day looking for him. Finally, they find him safe and sound. Sara realizes how she plays an important part in her family taking care of Charlie and this makes her feel better about herself.

I liked this book because the transition from the beginning to the end goes from boring and slow to interesting and suspenseful.

matthew's review.......2007-02-27

I thought the book was good.The book was about a 14 year old girl, named sara, in her 14 summer and it all acts the same as last year, but to her there was something different.she thought it was boring this summer,even though it was the same as last summer.there was realy nothing about swans.charlie didn't talk but he was important.even though it acted like sara didn't like him, sara cared for him.at the end sara realized she was just like the swans.

summer of the swans.......2007-02-27

Well I think that charlie wasn't a very smart little boy when he decided to run away. Also he was so mad at sara because she would not let him go see the swans. Also he had ran away I think that sara was just being crazy and acting like she didnt know what was going on.also charlies watch was broken now how in this beautiful world is going to get home.And so sara came looking for charlie and then they couldnt find him so she had asked joe melby what really happened to the watch.

Average customer rating:

book Hot City by Barbara Joosse
Picturebook Masterpiece!

Hot City
Barbara Joosse
Manufacturer: Philomel
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0399236406

Book Description

It's one of those days in the city when the sidewalk is hot as a frying pan, and Mimi and her little brother Joe are sweatin' out rivers. Spyin' on Mama and the blah blah ladies is no fun. Out on the street the buses are huffin' out dragon-hot smoke. Even a princess-pink snow cone melts away too fast to lick.

Then Mimi and Joe find their way to a place where it's always cool, a place where you can be a princess on a throne or a dinosaur in a forest, a place where you can let your imagination run free . . . the library.

Gregory Christie's red-hot illustrations team up with Barbara Joosse's smooth urban voice in this book that points the way to the coolest place in any city.

Customer Reviews:

book Hot City by Barbara Joosse.......2007-08-23

This is a delightful book for all ages. The illustrations are fun and creative and the text is also memorable. My two-year old daughter and my 74-year old mother both enjoy it.

Picturebook Masterpiece!.......2005-02-08

Hot City is one of those picture books that jumps right off the coffee table and gets under your skin. The funny, jazzy, spontaneous, and easy-to-follow text is perfectly illuminated with the bright, lively, syncopated, and imaginative illustrations. The plot is simple enough: a sister and her younger brother finding things to do on a very hot summer day in the city. The dialog moves us through their activities: spying on the 'blah-blah' ladies (that must be universal - how kids feel about their mothers' company and their endless prattle); eating snow cones ("we lick fast, but not fast enough"); and escaping into a cool library. While plopped "down in a big old chair, smooth and cool, like a throne" sister (now Princess) escapes on the back of a unicorn and thwarts a pirate-robber before her brother - riding in on a T.Rex - calls her back to the reality of the library and they depart for home. It's a story that honors where books can take us and would be a great read-aloud to younger children during a library storytime hour.

Average customer rating:

A poignant, warm story evolves.
a summer to die
A Summer to Die
A Summer to Die Book Review
A Summer To Die

A Summer to Die
Lois Lowry
Manufacturer: Laurel Leaf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Mass Market Paperback

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ASIN: 0440219175
Release Date: 1983-12-01

Book Description

Meg isn't thrilled when she gets stuck sharing a bedroom with her older sister Molly. The two of them couldn't be more different, and it's hard for Meg to hide her resentment of Molly's beauty and easy popularity. But now that the family has moved to a small house in the country, Meg has a lot to accept.

Just as the sisters begin to adjust to their new home, Meg feels that Molly is starting up again by being a real nuisance. But Molly's constant grouchiness, changing appearance, and other complaints are not just part of a new mood. And the day Molly is rushed to the hospital, Meg has to accept that there is something terribly wrong with her sister. That's the day Meg's world changes forever. Is it too late for Meg to show what she really feels?

Customer Reviews:

A poignant, warm story evolves........2007-06-10

Meg's family moves to a small house in the country so her father can finish his book - and Meg faces many changes: sharing a room with her older sister Molly, making new friends. Her new friendships with an elderly neighbor and a young couple are just introducing her to newfound photography skills when Molly falls ill, and Meg must confront developing her friendships and skills and saying goodbye to her sister. A poignant, warm story evolves.

a summer to die.......2006-10-31

Although having an older sister that's pretty and also can wear makeup and is attractive can be frustrating, sisters should try hard to like each other. In the beginning of Lois Lowry's fictional novel A Summer To Die Meg the youngest sister is a smart kid with the normal big glasses. Her older sister Molly is your normal popular teen that likes to ware makeup and all the boys like her she is messy and hates to clean up after herself. Meg is sick of this so she takes some chalk and draws a line In the middle of their room. She states this side is mine and I can do what I want with it and the other side is yours you can keep it as messy as you want.
Even though this book title sounds interesting at the beginning, it's very boring. More in the middle it is more interesting because the blood and death happens. The ages I would recommend for this book is eight and up because young boys like blood and like to read about girls dieing, I would think both boys and girls could read this book but more boys because boys are more interested to read about blood and death.
I know brothers and sisters can be annoying but you should appreciate them because you don't know if they will die or get sick. My opinion of Summer To Die is it is very boring at first then again so are all books but if you keep reading it gets sad and exiting and it teaches you to appreciate your family and annoying siblings. ENJOY!
Although having an older sister that's pretty and also can wear makeup and is attractive can be frustrating, sisters should try hard to like each other. In the beginning of Lois Lowry's fictional novel A Summer To Die Meg the youngest sister is a smart kid with the normal big glasses. Her older sister Molly is your normal popular teen that likes to ware makeup and all the boys like her she is messy and hates to clean up after herself. Meg is sick of this so she takes some chalk and draws a line In the middle of their room. She states this side is mine and I can do what I want with it and the other side is yours you can keep it as messy as you want.
Even though this book title sounds interesting at the beginning, it's very boring. More in the middle it is more interesting because the blood and death happens. The ages I would recommend for this book is eight and up because young boys like blood and like to read about girls dieing, I would think both boys and girls could read this book but more boys because boys are more interested to read about blood and death.
I know brothers and sisters can be annoying but you should appreciate them because you don't know if they will die or get sick. My opinion of Summer To Die is it is very boring at first then again so are all books but if you keep reading it gets sad and exiting and it teaches you to appreciate your family and annoying siblings. ENJOY!

A Summer to Die.......2006-10-28

A Summer to Die
"It is so good to have friends who understand how there is a time for crying and a time for laughing, and that sometimes the two are very close together," announced Lois Lowery in her fictional story, A Summer to Die. Throughout this story, Lois shows how important it is to always, at anytime, love and care for your family, because you never know when it could be the end. Could you ever imagine loosing a family member? As soon as Meg's family moved to a new house in the country, she knew nothing would be the same again. Meg went from having her own room, to having half of a room, divided by a thick white line of chalk, shared with her older sister Molly.
Meg and Molly couldn't of been more different. At times it was hard for Meg to hide her jealousy of Molly's beauty and popularity. There was Molly, beautiful with wavy blond hair. Then there was Meg, not quite as pretty with glasses, and what some kids called "different." Meg loved photography, and she was very good at it. She enjoyed all the colors, lightings, and facial expressions of the photos she took. Just as the girls adjust to their new home, Molly is diagnosed with a very rare disease. Meg, her family, and some very close friends don't know how much longer Molly will live. Meg now regrets her relationship with her sister, and wishes it as better.
This book is written for the teenage soul and older minds too. A Summer to Die is a great book for someone that enjoys happy friendships, twisting events, and sad endings. This book's intriguing events pull in the reader, and hook them like a fish. Now, I will always remember to love and care for my family, because I never know when it could be the end.

A Summer to Die Book Review.......2006-10-28

Although many books have happy endings, some books do not. Some stories have split endings, part of the story ending happily and the other part ending sadly. As Meg and her sister Molly have to move from the city to the country and have to share a room, they start to notice their differences. As Meg starts to dislike Molly something happens to bring the two of them together. Do you ever get mad at your mom, dad, or sibling? Well Meg does and she soon realizes that sometimes you will run out of time to forgive or apologize. As you read A Summer to Die by Lois Lowry, you will learn that you need to love, car, appreciate, and be grateful for everything and everyone around you.
Once you read A Summer to Die, I recommend you to read Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. The stories are very similar in the way that Meg is feeling at the end of the book and how the main character Kira is feeling at the beginning of the book. I recommend this book very strongly to all girls eleven and older who like sad and happy endings, because if you don't like sad endings you will probably cry at the end. I recommend this book to all people eleven and older as well, but not as strongly, but I think that you will still enjoy it.
In A Summer to Die, like I mentioned in the beginning, Meg and Molly begin to notice there differences, and very quickly. "It was Molly who drew the line [...] and said, ` There. Now be as much of a slob as you want, only keep it on your side.' " You can't always forgive and forget or apologize, and Meg learns that. So, as you can see in Lois Lowry's book, there is a silver lining in every cloud.

A Summer To Die.......2006-04-15

I loved this book, me being a leukenia surviver, made me adore this book of 2 sisters who fite

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SAVOUR THIS BOOK!!! possible spoilers:Warning
a promise of excellence
Extremely good book for teenage romancers.

Summer Promises (Silver Beach, No 3)
Diane Schwemm
Manufacturer: Bantam Books for Young Readers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0553567225
Release Date: 2005-06-14

Book Description

It’s the summer when everything goes crazy. . . .

Ethan Wells, heartbroken when Laura McIver dies, turns once again to dangerous Charlotte Ransom for love and comfort.

Charlotte Ransom, driven by vengeance and loneliness, will stop at nothing to trap Ethan . . . until Sam DeWitt makes her an irresistable offer.

Elli Wells will risk everyting to save her brother from a disastrous marriage . . . even her love for Sam DeWitt.

Sam DeWitt loves Elli more deeply than ever . . . but can he do what she asks if it means losing her?

Customer Reviews:

SAVOUR THIS BOOK!!! possible spoilers:Warning.......2005-09-01

One word: wow. When I first heard of this series I was not expecting anything like this. I finished it in one hour. I couldn't put it down. When I was finished, I was so sad that there wasn't going to be another one in the series.
It made me sp irritated at times where Sam did that repulsive thing to Ellie and how Charlotte was so disgusting and rude. I found it rather dramatic and romantic with how all the hidden loves that were in the family and how Ellie realizes that her family isn't so picture perfect after all. She learns that her mother and her next door neighbor had been in love since they were kids and they had an affain before Ellie was born. Then Mr. Ranson gets Mrs. Wells pregnant with Ellie and she learns that her father is actually Mr. Ransom. I thought it was so cute with the two grandparents finally being together after so many years of being seperated by their parents. I rather liked Sam but in this book, my liking for him was put out quite a bit. I just couldn't think of anyone doing such a thing to the one that they love. Ellie just asked for one thing and then he took it completely out of proportion and didn't even say he was sorry afterwards. He just continued to torture her and then she takes him back because he gets his arm hurt in a storm. I found it rather sad that Mrs. Wells and Mr. Ransom had to be seperated once again. I just think its sad because they loved each other so much and would forever, I think. But Mrs. Wells did put him back in line after she felt like he was putting her second place to his writing. I wish that the author would write more books to the series. It's so good and just sucks you in. You can't help but want more after your finished. Buy the book. I highly recommend it.

a promise of excellence.......2005-06-30

Once again one year later, and its back to Silver Beach for the Wells family. After Laura's tragic death the summer before, Ethan is right back in Charlotte's poisonous clutches. Elli and Sam are together at last, but her knows the deep dark secret that could destroy her and rip her already broken family apart forever. Meanwhile, Mr. Ransom are Mrs. Wells are finally together, after an affair that lasted for decades, but is their romance destined to last? Charlotte, eager to spite Elli once and for all, hatches a plan to keep Ethan under her thumb....forever. Desperate to rescue her brother, Elli puts her own relationship at risk. She knows she can break Ethan and Charlotte up by offering Charlotte the one thing she has always wanted and never been able to have....her boyfriend, Sam. Can Elli save her family and her relationship? Or will the dark secrets of the past finally come out, and destroy Elli and Ethan?

Extremely good book for teenage romancers........1998-08-24

This Book will make you laugh and cry. Its full of wonderful love stories that make you wish you had you own Silver Beach to escape to. The carachters are so familiar to teens, that you feel very close to them. Its a combination of stories almost all teen girls can relate to. First love, Break ups, heartaches, and more. A wonderful book to complete the exquizid series. You'll be sorry thier stories are over.

Canadian Summer (Thehilda Van Stockum Family Collection)

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Canadian Summer
Count Your Blessings

Canadian Summer (Thehilda Van Stockum Family Collection)
Hilda Van Stockum
Manufacturer: Bethlehem Book Publishers
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 1883937140

Customer Reviews:

Canadian Summer.......2003-09-30

Canadian Summer is about the Mitchells' first, well, Canadian Summer. They rent a cabin, go exploring, fall off a boat, go exploring, meet the Jolicoers, go exploring, meet Mr. Magic, go exploring, get lost, go exploring, lose their dog, go exploring, help Peter with his wounded leg, go exploring, stop a forest fire, go exploring, throw a party, go exploring, get a new house, go exploring, and did I forget to mention that they went exploring?

Count Your Blessings.......2001-02-15

Canadian Summer is a book that makes you count your blessings. Hilda VanStockum has become our family's favorite author. Her writing is magical. She draws you into the story so you feel as if you are a part of it.

Because of a job transfer and limited resources, the Mitchell family was forced to move to a rustic cabin in the mountains. The cabin was far from a town and they had no transportation. VanStockum makes us love the Mitchell family. We can feel their humiliation as they come into church, the first morning in a new town, all bedraggled or dirty for various reasons.

Book Description

Nine-year-old Abby Tolsen thinks it¹s going to be just another regular summer‹until she sees a ghost in the house! The ghost is angry . . . and now it¹s up to Abby to help the troubled spirit.

Customer Reviews:

It's pretty good.......2006-07-27

I read this book several years ago, and I liked it. I found myself almost hoping that it would have been a bit more frightening. The ending sort of just happened, like the author got bored of writing it near the end. But I'm sure other younger children would enjoy the book.

Freaked out!!.......2002-02-16

Haunted Summer is a great book for 9-12 I am 12 but I loved it. It is about a girl named Abby and her brother who is a snott to her becaus she is chubby. But she prooved is not scared because her and a baby-sitter tought her to be brave. If you like freaky books you will love this one!

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