2nds Challenge: I read Last Days of Summer in 2009
A Story of Love, Mary Poppins and Fenway Park. If any of those appeal to you, this charming book is for you. Kluger writes easy young adult novels, with winning, if precocious teens. This one has a few lost souls - two teens with no siblings who become 'brothers', each essentially adopted and parented by both sets of parents after the death of T.C.'s mother when he was six. TC and Augie could not be more different - TC is a baseball nut, Augie is a musical fanatic, and gay even if he isn't completely sure he is, or if he knows how it will work. TC falls in love with a perfect girl, Ale, who is not going to give in very easily.
The concept of the story is that all three are writing an essay about their most excellent year, grade ten, the year before. TC, Ale and Augie are all a little idealized - socially involved, mature, extremely well spoken, talented, and adjusted. Granted, not all teens are like that, but there are some, and it's nice to read about great kids trying to find their way, with parents who seem to make the right choices. I enjoyed this quick read, and it didn't hurt that I've always been a huge Mary Poppins fan.
I had this out before, but didn't get a chance to finish it. I rerequested it from the library recently and am just waiting my turn. I have heard good things about the author period, but this is the only book my library has by him.
ReplyDeleteJenny commented: I love Mary Poppins too, and I've been wanting to read this for ages. The cover's really cute. Is this the one where the kid corresponds with a baseball star, or is that a different Steve Kluger book?
ReplyDeleteThe baseball star is the other book by Kluger, The Last Days of Summer. Both are very good. It looks long, but it reads really fast.