Eland, Lindsay. A Summer of Sundays9 July 2013, Egmont USA
Sunday Fowler is the third of six children, and feels that she is not special. All this will change, she feels, when the family moves to a small town where her father has a job renovating the library. There she makes friends with Jude, and finds letters written to "the librarian" and a manuscript. Sunday suspects that the work is that of famed local author, Wren Lee, who wrote The Life and Death of Birds, but she can't be sure. She and Jude investigate, and find that the event that could bring Sunday to national attention is also an event that would hurt a new friend. As the library gets ready to reopen, Sunday must decide what is most important to her.
Strengths: This is definitely a book for readers, although I'm not sure how many middle grade students will understand the references to Harper Lee. Nice details about being in a library and given free reign there, realistic family dynamics, and a bit of mystery round out this book.
Weaknesses: The manuscript, which is quoted at length, is even slower than the rest of the book. This reminded me strongly of the Penderwicks books, and I have been unsuccessful in getting students to read those, so may have to pass on this. Do take a look if that series is popular in your library.
I also found Sunday more than a bit unsympathetic and the fact that six kids would be set loose on a construction site and reshelving a library a tad unrealistic. If you want a middle grade book with a lovely Harper Lee connection, look for Sure Signs of Crazy by Karen Harrington. Due out August 20.
ReplyDeletebrenda
Interesting. I couldn't get my girls to read the Penderwicks either...and I have 4 girls. Maybe this is for when my girls move from reluctant to strong readers.
ReplyDeleteI have this one to finish reading today and there are a couple of girls in my SRC 9-12 group who might like it so am looking forward to sharing it with them.
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