A Girl Named Summer

From School Library JournalGrade 6–9-In this light romance, 15-year-old Summer falls hard for athletic, preppy David; loses him to an unworthy, manipulative female foe; and then wins him back. The twist here is the dilemma that arises when Summer tries to impress David by overstating her running experience and is found out. With the encouragement of her grandfather, she trains for and competes in a major race even after her romance has soured. The plotting is predictable and the dialogue clich?d: Summer's rival bats “her eyelashes furiously.” Other characters seem made-to-order, such as Summer's cute three-year-old brother and her eccentric but lovable grandfather. The teen males are easily manipulated and never seem to struggle with the issues of self-image faced by the other sex. But why quibble? Meaningful values are imparted: Summer learns the importance of honesty and effort while building self-esteem and confidence in her running ability. By the end of the novel, her ties with her family are reinforced and her relationship with David is secure. Though flawed, this is a respectable entry in a genre that is popular among female teen readers.
Mary Ann Carcich, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From BooklistGr. 7^-9. A popular adult romance novelist tries her hand at writing for young adults. In this undemanding but engaging result, Summer falls in love with a boy she meets at a church hall where her grandfather plays bingo. Garwood uses lots of dialogue to keep things moving as the conflict develops. When David meets an attractive new girl, Summer becomes insecure and invents a lie about being a long-distance runner. Predictably, the lie leads to trouble: David registers himself and Summer for a six-mile charity race. The plot, which is filled with typical teenage circumstances, verges on the preposterous, but it is saved by Garwood's portrayal of the characters' caring relationships and the fact that she doesn't let Summer take the easy way out. Shelley Townsend-Hudson