Book Review: The Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse

The Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A summer of growth, love, and remembrance.

The Summer I Remembered Everything by Catherine Con Morse is a wonderful young adult story of a pivotal summer in Emily Chen-Sanchez’s life. With her perfect older sister, Emilly always felt she was playing a losing game to shine in her parents’ eyes. While she had always admired, perhaps, idolized Tessa, she was also jealous, and her feelings led her into constant arguments with her overachieving older sister. When a less-than-satisfactory grade on her end-of-year report card grounds her for the first three weeks of summer vacation, she figures getting a job will at least get her out of the house and give her a break from her family. She applies to be a companion to an elderly neighbor lady, Mrs. Granucci, thinking she’ll be helping her around her home with her daily activities; however, the lively senior is vivacious, active, and busy with life. Yet, she is harboring a secret; her little episodes of forgetfulness are just the start of a hidden problem, something much more serious.

Emily is such a relatable girl, with her dreams and innocent desires, and the summer is one of coming of age in so many ways. She’s got the short end of the stick with a bad case of sibling rivalry, topped by having very cautious, anxious parents. Her mother has just been diagnosed with thyroid cancer and is undergoing treatment. Her best gal pal is in London for the next several weeks, and her best friend, Matt, has a crush on another girl, again. But this time, his crush on a girl with so many similar interests just hits differently for Emily. Now, her new employer and growing mentor, Mrs. G., swears her to secrecy about her declining mental acuity and memory issues. Any one of these situations would be a handful for a sixteen-year-old to handle, so it’s no wonder that mistakes are made and lessons must be learned.

The story really struck home for me, having had to care for someone, also not a family member, with cognitive decline. Things happen or get said that truly catch you off guard. The incident where Emily is accused of stealing is not an uncommon tale; it occurs frequently as loved ones progress through their disease, and it is hard to take, difficult to overcome, and move on. The situation between the two sisters was emotional to read about. I appreciated how the author had the characters confront their differences and air their feelings and perspectives. As time passes, you realize that having a sister is a truly unique relationship.

I recommend THE SUMMER I REMEMBERED EVERYTHING to readers of young adult fiction, especially those looking for a POC perspective.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy through Toppling Stacks Tours.

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Children's Book Review: Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous (Cookies & Milk, #2) by Shawn Amos

Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous by Shawn Amos
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"Middle school is not for the weak," and don't you know it! Delightful follow-up to the author's debut novel, COOKIES & MILK!

Ellis Johnson Might Be Famous, the much-anticipated follow-up to Shawn Amos's debut novel, Cookies & Milk, is finally here and does not disappoint. Ellis Johnson and his friends return, this time in the middle of their first semester of middle school, and they have already noticed a change in the climate from the earlier grades. Everyone had to do some quick growing up, especially Ellis, who is encountering change at home and at Sunset Cookies.

Ellis is such a likable kid, full of self-confidence and plans for the future, constantly daydreaming about how he's going to make things happen. He loves his dad, whom he helped build his cookie store into a success, and dreams and schemes about improving business while maintaining the status quo in his family. The new woman in his dad's life really throws him for a loop. Young readers, especially, will relate to Ellis's feelings toward Sam but will easily pick up on the fact that he doesn't treat her well or handle the situation correctly. All readers can probably relate to Ellis's trepidation about returning to school after the fiasco at the Thanksgiving parade. As the man says, "Middle school is not for the weak." Ellis undergoes a great deal during this short time frame, but grows from the experience in positive ways.

I love the mid-1970s Hollywood setting and enjoyed the musical trip down memory lane with Uncle Wishbone. But we all know he was correct, right?

With its fast-paced, lively plot and its cast of engaging characters, I recommend ELLIS JOHNSON MIGHT BE FAMOUS to middle-grade readers and fans of the previous book.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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Children's Book Review: It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap

It Happened on Saturday by Sydney Dunlap
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

An excellent story for middle-grade readers that realistically portrays the dangers lurking online.

It was the end of the summer between seventh and eighth grades, and Julia’s best friend since the fifth grade was finally coming home from camp. The days had dragged while Nori was away, more so than in the past, since the twins, also friends from school, had moved away right after the last day of school. Julia was looking forward to Nori’s return with plans for how they would spend the final summer vacation days before the new school year started.

But when Nori returned, something had changed. She had met a boy at camp who turned out to attend the same school and had developed a different kind of friendship: a boy-girl friendship. Suddenly, Nori always had plans with Luke and didn’t have time for Julia. To top it off, Julia’s parents were busy with work and each other, and her older sister, Danielle, had a boyfriend of her own. Julia felt abandoned, the odd-man-out, just like that awful time in fifth grade before she had met Nori.

However, after a quick afternoon makeover by Danielle, Julia posted her “new look” online. To her surprise and gratification, the “Likes” and complimentary comments poured in. But one comment, in particular, caught her eye. When that one was followed up by another and another by the same intriguingly unknown boy, Julia decided to reply, even though her parents had told her never to respond to strangers online. Little did Julia know that tyler_g had plans for her.

It Happened on Saturday is a marvelous cautionary tale that explores the dangers lurking online with the advent of social media. In this case, the threat is kidnapping for sex trafficking. Julia is a regular girl with the same troubles and concerns felt by most elementary and middle-grade children: feeling ignored, not belonging, loneliness, and parents who are distracted by having to make a living. She is also experiencing changes in her once stable relationship with her best friend, who has moved on from childhood interests to having a boyfriend. Young readers will easily relate to her feelings and everyday life.

The story demonstrates some of the simple, yet devious tactics employed to gain a victim’s trust, manipulate their choices, and isolate them from safety. Julia is somewhat wary at first, especially when Tyler reveals too much too soon. But the guy is a pro and recovers to the point where Julia gets comfortable again.

This book would be an excellent choice to share with older elementary/middle-grade children or students to launch a discussion of this topic at school or home.

I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.

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