About This Book
Reach for this book when your child is grappling with the realization that adults can be unfair, petty, or flawed, and they are seeking a sense of agency in their own lives. This story follows twelve-year-old Nell and her best friend Lydia, who refuse to let a falling-out between their mothers dictate their own friendship. They create a secret world in an abandoned miniature golf course, a refuge that becomes more than just a playground when they discover a homeless family living there. The Hidden Summer beautifully balances the thrill of a secret adventure with deeper themes of social responsibility and empathy. It is ideal for middle-grade readers (ages 8 to 12) who are moving toward independence and beginning to notice the complex realities of socioeconomic differences. Parents will appreciate how it handles moral ambiguity, showing that while the girls are technically being deceptive, their motivations are rooted in loyalty and compassion.
