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82. Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler...

May 27, 2009
Ok. First off, I didn't mean to read this one right away. It just showed up, & I have a TON of books to read ahead of it. But today's been crazy--leave work at 3, go to the little man's piano recital at 4, head for his swim class at 5, and then to his make-up soccer practice (from Monday's) at 6. Whew! So, since this was the only book on hand, it got read. I couldn't help it--not once I started it, anyway...

Second, this book should come with a warning--DO NOT READ WITHOUT TISSUES!! I cried. In the car while at soccer practice. With no tissues. And mascara on (don't ask!), so I couldn't just dab at my shirtsleeves. I cried at home, too, while finishing up... *sigh* So there you go. You've been warned.

twenty boysFrom the inside cover:
"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"


According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy every day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

Poor Anna. She's been in love with her best-friend-who's-also-her-best-friend's-brother since she was 10. And magically, unbelievably, finds out he feels something for her, too--right before he dies. She's in that hazy I-need-to-grieve-but-can't-because-his-family-needs-to-and-I-have-to-be-strong-for-Frankie place, and nobody realizes that Anna's carrying around all these memories, all these feelings, and that Anna needs to let go, too.

On vacation with Frankie's family in California for three weeks, a year later, Anna goes through conflicting emotions when she meets a new boy, Sam. Is she cheating on Matt's memory? Can there be such a thing when Matt's dead and gone? 

I think Anna might be the first teenager that I actually like--in real life or fiction. And that's high praise from me, lol! Twenty Boy Summer is touching and poignant, and will be on my 2009 list of favorites. Get it. Seriously, get it. And don't forget the tissues. 

Title: Twenty Boy Summer
Author: Sarah Ockler
ISBN-10: 0-316-05159-4
ISBN-13: 978-0-316-05159-0
Hardcover: 290 pages
Publisher: Little, Brown Young Readers (June 1, 2009)

5 comments:

Anonymous said...

I already want to read this one so much, your review just makes me look forward to it even more! Good review! :)

Anonymous said...

I wish this one would just show up for me. LOL. I've been wanting to read it so badly. Thanks for the great review!

Mishel (P.S. I Love Books) said...

Aww Drey *hugs*. This one surprised me at the emotional depth it held. I really enjoyed it and I'm glad you did as well. I loved Anna's character too =)

bermudaonion said...

I'm really looking forward to this one now!

Shonda said...

I recently checked this out from the library. I guess I need to move it up on my "read right now" list.

Good review (and thanks for the warning!)

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