ADDIE'S LONG SUMMER (American Sisters) [Paperback]

Laurie Lawlor (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1995 | Age Level: 8 and up | Series: American Sisters

Hoping to impress her sophisticated city cousin Elizabeth, Addie betrays a secret that Tilla entrusted to her, and when she finds herself at Elizabeth's mercy, Addie must try to win back Tilla's trust.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 3-4-- In this newest story about Addie, the 12-year-old girl is anxiously awaiting the arrival of her two cousins from Iowa. She has heard many fanciful stories about Elizabeth and Maudie's city life, including both piano and French lessons and shopping for pretty dresses. When the twins arrive, they don't seem to appreciate their cousin's home on the Great Plains. For Addie's family and all families living on the prairie in the 1880s, life is uncertain and difficult. However, in spite of all the hardships, there is happiness and a sense of pride. Lawlor weaves some good lessons into her story. The characters are believable, the scenery is clearly descriptive, and events are true to the time. Addie's fans will not be disappointed.
- Elizabeth Hamilton, Miami-Dade Public Library, FL
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Publisher

It's not easy being the country cousin!

Addie's thrilled that her big city cousins, Elizabeth and Maudie, are coming all the way form Iowa to visit. Elizabeth is exactly her own age -- but the poised, elegantly gowned young lady who steps out of the buckboard seems so grown-up. Addie will do anything to impress her.She'll even betray her best friend, Tilla, and share secrets that were theirs alone. But Addie's biggest, darkest secret is hidden in the barn. And Elizabeth knows just where. As if all that isn't bad enough, it hasn't rained in weeks and the Mills family is in danger of losing their crops. Desperate, Addie tries to protect her terrible secret and win back Tilla, the best friend she ever had!

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Aladdin (July 1, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0671526073
• ISBN-13: 978-0671526078
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 5 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,495,661 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Addie's Long Summer" was Spectacular!, March 14, 2011

A Kid's Review

This review is from: ADDIE'S LONG SUMMER (American Sisters) (Paperback)

Addie's Long Summer
Laurie Lawlor, Author
Toby Gowing, Illustrator
Sienna Sabia, 4th grade Reviewer

I've never lived on a farm, but while reading the delightful book "Addie's Long Summer" by Laurie Lawlor, I felt like I was on the farm with Addie, her family, and her friends. I enjoyed this story, and while reading it, I was always curious as to what would happen in the next chapter.

This story begins with Addie Mill, who is a twelve year old girl growing up in the Midwest in the 1880's. Addie lives on a farm with her family and their animals which consists of cows, pigs, chickens, and their dog. The Mill family grew corn on their farm. Being a part of a farming family in the Midwest during the 1800`s was hard because they relied on their crops for survival and sometimes weather or other circumstances threatened their ability to survive. In this story, the Mill's family faces losing all of their crops because it hasn't rained in weeks. The author made it easy for me to understand the hardship that the Mill's family had.

Addie has cousins from Iowa, their names are Maudie and Elizabeth. Elizabeth is Addie's age. They are from a big city and have fancy dresses and are "sophisticated" in Addie's opinion. Addie is excited when she learns they are coming to her farm for a visit. The city slicker cousins were not to happy to be on a dirty farm. However, Addie was so impressed by her poised cousins and will do anything to impress them.

Addie's best friend is Tilla. These best friends have shared secrets with each other. Addie's relationship with Tilla is hurt when Addie shares Tilla's secret with Elizabeth. Addie was just trying to impress her cousin. Addie feels bad and is concerned that Tilla will be revengeful and tell Elizabeth her secret. I liked how the the author was very descriptive and detailed the feelings and thoughts all of the girls during this conflict. I was able to understand how everyone felt.

Addie has such a great friend in Tilla! Tilla realized that Elizabeth was causing the problems between her and Addie. Tilla said in her Norwegian accent to Addie, "Cousins who stay too long, dey are all the same. Much trouble." Addie was so thankful for her best friend and their relationship was restored. Everyone makes mistakes in friendship. I was so happy to read that they were able to resolve this conflict and actually become even better friends.

I would recommend this book for anyone to read. I really enjoyed this story and I am looking forward to reading the other Addie stories from this author's series. The author was very descriptive and even though the story took place 130 years ago, I was able to relate to the characters. It was easy for me to imagine the setting and picture the events that took place. The illustrations were beautiful and gave me great insight. I wish there were more illustrations though. If you enjoy reading positive and believable stories with a great message, you will definitely enjoy "Addie's Long Summer" by Laurie Lawlor.