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?

Rush is a real rush!

I have had a copy of Rush by Jonathan Friesen on my bedside for months now. I have now completed it and reviewed it for our local weekly paper. It was a fast, action-packed read that had me inside Jake King's mind and made me grateful for my slower-paced life in Southern New Brunswick. here it is...

Rush

Written by Jonathan Friesen

Recommended for young adults.

Penguin Books $12.50

Jake King is a self-proclaimed adrenaline junkie! Nothing clears his confused mind like riding his bike down the side of a mountain or climbing a rock wall without any harnesses. Nothing that is except being in the company of his best friend /secret crush Salome Lee. Salome and Jake have grown up as next-door neighbors and been friends since they were young children. Although neither one admits it, there is more to their relationship than just friends!

Jake’s home life has a lot to be desired. His Mom left years ago. His Dad is the not-so-popular owner of the mill where the majority of the townspeople work. He is also a veteran firefighter. Scottie, Jake’s older brother, has just left town mysteriously. His career as a firefighter was short-lived. Does he know something about the secret world of The Immortals?

When Jake finally gets expelled from high school, his father pulls some strings to get him a much sought-after spot on the hotshot crew of firefighters who rappel into wildfires. This is the perfect job for a lost soul like Jake. Or is it? Will he have to risk his life (and even Salome’s) to prove his worth to the man they call Mox?

This is the fastest-paced book I have ever read. As with Jerk, California, you feel as though you are inside the racing mind of the main character. We are never told that Jake has a specific diagnosis however from his actions it is apparent that there are ADHD tendencies. This makes for a choppy read yet an interesting story about a world of fighting wildfires in California with a little romance thrown in for good measure.

Jonathan Friesen is also the author of Jerk, California and The Last Martin.