Title: Twenty Boy SummerAuthor: Sarah Ockler
Summary: Read Goodreads Synopsis
Source: Purchased e-book
Buy: Amazon ~*~ Barnes & Noble
Caution: May contain spoilers
My Thoughts:
Anna, Frankie, and Matt were an inseparable trio of friends. Frankie and Matt were brother and sister, and Anna was best friends with Frankie while having a crush on Matt. One wonderful day, Matt kisses Anna and everything seems to be going wonderfully. Before they could tell anyone (even Frankie), the three of them get into an accident, and Matt doesn’t make it. Anna and Frankie and her parents, Red and Jayne, struggle to keep it together while they deal with his death. Frankie is acting out, doing things she shouldn’t be doing. A little over a year after, Frankie’s family has Anna join them on the yearly family vacation. The first one they’ve gone on since the accident.
Frankie’s determined to make it the ABSE (Absolute Best Summer Ever). Included in this best summer is a challenge to meet twenty guys. Anna isn’t too keen on this idea because Matt is still close to her heart. Yet she can’t tell anyone what had happened between the two of them because she promised Matt she would let him tell Frankie. So Anna goes along with whatever Frankie has planned reluctantly.
What Anna didn’t count on was Sam. Someone she maybe might possibly like. And he seems to like her back. Liking him means pushing aside Matt, letting go the beautiful memories she has of Matt. How could she do that when Matt meant so much to her?
This story will take your breath away. The depth of the emotions carries on throughout in more ways than one. There’s the initial beginning of grief, to the aftermath, then the traditions that make the present painful when you recall the past that will never be future again. Everyone faces them, and deals with them in their own way. Anna’s secret about Matt finds it’s way out, with agonizing results. I was reading that part while at work and had to step back to keep from crying. It is intense. The whole story is intense.
Sarah Ockler has amazed me with this book. I had a feeling it would be powerful, but I had no idea how powerful. There are so many emotions you face after reading it yourself. Now that I’ve read it, I can see why some felt it needed to be banned. It is for more mature teens, but it is a must read for everyone when they can handle it.
My Rating:
Exceptional...Stay up until at least 1 AM!
I seriously don't get why this book was on the banned book list. There doesn't seem to be anything controversial about it besides the name and the idea of meeting 20 boys in one summer. This def sounds like a book I would want to read!
ReplyDeleteThere's a lot of talk about sex and losing virginity. I think there was two or three full pages straight talking about it. So, I think that was part of the "problem", lol. I think you would really enjoy it. :)
ReplyDeleteI heard about Twenty Boy Summer via banned books week and I'm really interested in reading it. And I'm perfectly ok with talks of a sexual nature so no "problem" there! Haha
ReplyDeleteGreat review! :)
Definitely worth it! I hope you can read it soon. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I appreciate that you capture the heavy emotions in the novel. Thanks for commenting on my review! I'm following you back :)
ReplyDelete