Summerhouse Time - a beautiful summer read!

Our summer days are literally filled with swimming, soccer, kayaking and shooting hoops. So when I was lucky enough to escape to our bookstore (for the whole day), I sat and read Summerhouse Time in its entirety. Peg had recommended this gem to me awhile ago and am I glad she did! I have read and enjoyed other books by Eileen Spinelli and her husband Jerry Spinelli (of Stargirl fame) so I should not be surprised at how much I loved this story. At times, I felt like she was writing about my own family. A beautiful summer read that will appeal to girls aged 9-12.

Summerhouse Time

Written by Eileen Spinelli

Illustrated by Joanne Lew-Vriethoff

Recommended for ages 9-12.

Random House $6.99

Lately I have become a huge fan of free verse. Is it because I love the quick nature of the story being told? Is it because my reading time seems to be reduced lately? Or is it, as my husband would suggest, my disdain for great detail? Whatever the reason, free verse (a form of poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular meter) appeals to me.

Through free verse, Summerhouse Time tells the beautiful story of Sophie and her extended family as they live together in peace (for the most part) for the month of August at their rented pink cottage on the ocean. In her opinion, the month spent together is even better than Christmas!

This year, things are a little different. Sophie’s cousin Colleen, now fourteen, is mad at the world and is not enjoying her days at the cottage. Sophie is heartbroken as she looks up to Colleen and is taking this change personally. Instead of bunking in with her older cousin, Sophie is now sharing a room with Tammy, her 5-year-old cousin. The shoe is on the other foot for this 11 year-old!

Despite Aunt Liz losing her job and Sophie’s Dad suffering a panic attack, the rituals remain somewhat in tact. With the help of Baby James, Colleen eventually comes out of her funk and joins the family in their fun, albeit in a teenage sort of way.

Throughout the month, Sophie encourages 12 year-old Cooper to dip his feet in the ocean overcoming his thalassophobia. Between Grandmom’s mint tea and Grandpop’s opera singing, it seems that no problem is insurmountable. That is until, Sophie’s cat, Orange, slips out the cottage door and goes missing for days. Will she ever see her precious pet again?

As Sophie’s mom reminds her “life is never perfect “. There are great lessons to be learned in this simple yet engaging story that combines family and summer. What could be better?