After Summer [Paperback]

Nick Earls (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 7, 2004

School is over for Alex Delaney and he's waiting for his university offer - only seventeen days away. Waiting, waiting, bodysurfing, watching a bit of TV...but mainly waiting. So he's not ready for the girl who cuts past him on a wave. Not at all prepared for her perfect balance on the board, the bare, elegant muscles of her shoulders and back. Summer is about to change...

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 9 Up-Alex Delaney has just graduated and is waiting to hear if he's been accepted to Queensland University. However, when he meets a girl at the beach who tells him only that her name begins with "F," he is diverted from his worries. He spends every moment with her and her happy-go-lucky family, who make a living selling their homemade arts and wares. Soon, Alex discovers that his problem isn't whether or not he's accepted to uni, but if he can leave the girl with whom he's fallen in love. Teens will relate to Alex's worries, and will laugh out loud at "F" and her hippie family, and the safe-sex discussions that Alex's mother attempts. Short chapters will appeal to many readers, as will the Australian venue. The story of summer love may not be new, but After Summer is tender and enticing, and will touch many teens' hearts.-Jane Cronkhite, Cuyahoga County Public Library, OH
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

From Booklist

Gr. 10-12. While waiting to hear if he has been admitted into a university, Alex Delaney spends the days after Christmas (summer in Australia) at his mother's house by the beach. Things pick up when he meets a tanned, toned, and mysterious girl, who he learns is named Fortuna. Their relationship becomes increasingly intense, and, as the days pass, Alex meets Fortuna's eccentric family and spends a lot of time with her on the beach. In the background, though, hovers the realization that things cannot last. Earls lets this minimally plotted story unfold with the languidness of summer, quietly and slowly. His language is appropriately rhythmic and smooth as he tells a wistful, familiar tale of a summer romance that realistically captures the feelings of a first love. Todd Morning
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 219 pages
• Publisher: Walker Childrens Paperbacks (June 7, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1844286304
• ISBN-13: 978-1844286300
• Product Dimensions: 7.6 x 5.1 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Summer of Waiting, March 13, 2006

By 

giselle - See all my reviews

This review is from: After Summer (Paperback)

Upon reading the opening sentences of the book After Summer by Nick Earls, a reader is pulled into the world of a typical teenager. The book follows the events of Alex Delaney, during summer he is waiting to see if he was accepted into university or not. Alex is spending yet another summer in his family's beach house on the Australian coast near his hometown of Brisbane. After Summer is an enjoyable book to read not only because of how easy it is to follow, but also because the reader can relate to Alex. No matter what age the reader happens to be, he or she will be able to know how Alex is feeling when he explains his embarrassing moments or how nervous he is around "the girl".
"The girl" is who Alex meets during his summer of waiting and she is the one who makes the waiting bearable. Alex first sees her during his everyday routine of getting up, going to the beach, and buying a newspaper. He happens to catch a glimpse of her further down the beach, and from the first glance, he is interested in her. Luckily for Alex, who usually doesn't have much luck in this area, he is able to strike up a conversation with her which leads to breakfast and eventually, a relationship. Alex is drawn to the ease of her life, and the laid back attitude that goes with her family. Soon, Alex finds himself not being so preoccupied with his university results and has a decision to make concerning "the girl". Nick Earls pulls this plot together neatly with his humorous and unique style of writing.
As one reads the book, it is very easy to hear Alex's voice through Earls' easy-going tone and his use of language. Another reason this book is such an enjoyable and easy read is that there aren't any hidden meanings or themes that the reader has to think about during the reading. It is the simple story of a young boy who is about to start his adult life in university and his discovery of love in relationships. The reader can easily connect with Alex and can feel his emotions jumping off the pages. After Summer is a great choice for teenagers more so than adults due to the humor and experiences. Nick Earls does an excellent job of portraying teenage emotions and experiences through Alex Delaney and his summer of waiting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars After summer, July 25, 2006

By 

Celina - See all my reviews

This review is from: After Summer (Paperback)

Very well written and entertaining. Good summer reading by the pool or under a parasol by the sea.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars a good love story, March 27, 2006

By 

Liza (IL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: After Summer (Paperback)

I think After Summer is a great book. For me I couldn't put this book down because I was always wondering what was going to happen with not only Alex and Fortuna but with his University offer. I love that the adults in this story would always refer back to being "safe".This book is a great example of waiting to be accepted and being accepted by the only person who seems to understands you. I like that Fortuna's family was so different then Alex's but not to much that it would mess up their relationship. This book has a great blend of romance and comedy. I would recommend this book to anyone who's looking for something new.