Summer at Meadow Wood by Amy Rebecca Tan. This has been one of my most highly anticipated books of 2020. I read Tan’s debut novel, A Kind of Paradise, earlier this year and absolutely adored it. It has been one of my favorite books so far this year and I’m glad that Summer at Meadow Wood will make it onto that list as well.
Summary from the publisher…
Vic Brown did not want to go to camp this summer. Even though it’s nice being back with her friends at Meadow Wood, Vic still can’t forget about the secret reason her mom wanted her and her brother out of the house—or how much her family is going to change. When her home life is blowing up, it can be hard to focus on campfires and canoeing.
But there is something about summer and surprises that go together like blueberry pancakes and maple syrup. And soon, Vic starts to feel like—just maybe—a summer at Meadow Wood was exactly what she needed.
Review…
Summer at Meadow Wood brings back all the wonderful summer camp memories. I was immediately taken back to horseback riding, swimming in the lake, cabin traditions, and, most importantly, getting treats at canteen! The cast of characters in this book are wonderful – a girl who doesn’t really want to be at camp, someone trying to be something they’re not to fit in, a counselor dealing with heartbreak, and the owners who you can’t help but adore.
Vic struggles with feeling that she is missing things back home (such as her best friend Jamie, the main character in A Kind of Paradise) and is angry with her mom for an issue we’re originally in the dark about. As we discover more about this, we walk with Jamie through her hurts, confusion, and anger. Vic is gently guided by one of the camp director’s Earl, who runs “Farm” elective and councilor Chieko, who teaches her the wisdom of Eleanor Roosevelt. We also get a sweet first romance that is perfect for this middle grade story.
As an avid gardener, my favorite parts were Vic coming around to gardening and selling at the local farmer’s market! I hope you will give this book a read. It may be written for middle grade ages, but I believe that readers of all ages will enjoy this.
The details…
Publisher: Harper Kids, Harper Collins
Rating: 4.5 Stars
ISBN:9780062795458
Get the hardcopy at: Bookshop.org or Amazon or Book Depository
Audiobook from: Audible or Libro.fm (use my code lfm122316 to get your first audiobook free from Libro.fm!)
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Summer at Meadow Wood by Amy Rebecca Tan Book Review.
