About This Book
Reach for this book when your preteen is in a quiet, observant mood, perhaps feeling that life is passing them by or wondering when their own real story will begin. It is a gentle, sophisticated choice for the child who is more interested in the internal landscape of growing up than in fast-paced action. Set in a small town in the early 1970s, the narrative follows a group of friends as they drift through a summer of self-discovery, first crushes, and the subtle shifts in identity that happen during middle school. Lynne Rae Perkins uses a unique, lyrical style that blends traditional prose with poetry and illustrations to capture the hypnotic, hyper-aware feeling of being fourteen. It normalizes the awkwardness of changing friendships and the 'criss-crossing' nature of human connection. While it is perfectly safe for ages 10-14, its philosophical tone makes it best suited for thoughtful, introspective readers who appreciate a slow-burn story about finding meaning in the everyday.
