The Summer I Learned to Fly

I feel this title is a hidden gem. Girls will love it. It tackles some serious topics but isn't overly sad or heart wrenching.

 

The Summer I Learned to Fly

 

 

Author – Dana Reinhardt

 

Genre – Families, Friendship, Social situations

 

Number of pages – 224

 

Is this book part of a series? – No

 

Publication date – July 2011

 

Publisher - Wendy Lamb Books

 

Links to Amazon US

Amazon UK

Barnes and Noble

 

Formats available – hardcover, library binding, paperback, ebook, audio CD

 

Target age of reader - 10 or 12 and up

 

Reading level -  750L

 

Description -  Drew's a bit of a loner. She has a pet rat, her dead dad's Book of Lists, an encyclopedic knowledge of cheese from working at her mom's cheese shop, and a crush on Nick, the surf bum who works behind the counter. It's the summer before eighth grade and Drew's days seem like business as usual, until one night after closing time, when she meets a strange boy in the alley named Emmett Crane. Who he is, why he's there, where the cut on his cheek came from, and his bottomless knowledge of rats are all mysteries Drew will untangle as they are drawn closer together, and Drew enters into the first true friendship, and adventure, of her life.

 

Themes of the book – friendship, dealing with difficult situations, making friends, being lonely, healing, Native American legends, taking chances, miracles, mother/daughter relationships

 

Main character is – female, Drew/Robin age 13

 

The story takes place in - California

 

Overall rating of this book  – G rated.

 

** Spoiler Alert **

 

~ Content ~

 

Language, profanity – none

 

Sexual references or actions – none

 

Violence – none

 

Drugs, alcohol, etc – none

 

Religious themes - mild references to Native American spirituality

 

Character types - all human

 

Heads up for sensitive readers:

 There is one touching scene involving a family pet that may be tough for some sensitive readers.

 

An accident involving a close friend

Is this a good title for book reports?

 Yes - I especially feel this would be good for advanced readers. Teachers looking for clean titles for their young students, here you go.

 

You can read my review of this story by clicking here – The Summer I Learned to Fly. That link will bring you to Amazon.

 

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~ Jenna

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