Customer Reviews

Cicada Summer

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I loved this. Loved it, loved it. I read it in about a half hour, turning pages faster than ever before, just wanting to know more. I'm sooo glad it's been nominated for a Cybil...Andrea Beaty really outdid herself this time.

Lily reads Nancy Drew books constantly, as they are her comfort. She doesn't talk, many would even tell you she's dumb, but Lily is just a keen observer, soon placed in the beginning of her own, real-life mystery. When a new girl, Tinny, moves to town, Lily's calm life is turned upside-down, as Tinny is mean to her, steals her friends, and gets her into trouble. Lily isn't entirely sure why Tinny hates her or how to fix things, but she knows she has to. When Tinny disappears, Lily is on the case, determined to find the lost girl before something terrible happens.

Lily is one of the most beautiful characters I have come across in a long time and I can promise you will want to do nothing more than to hug her from page one. This girl needs a hug! She is witty, true, real, and smart, though so many believe otherwise. Tragedy has been placed upon this girl and it is evident she is lost within heartache. Beaty wrote this story in a beautiful and touching manner, which I can't wait to see more of!

As I said, Cicada Summer has already been nominated for a Cybil and if I had my way, I could see a Newbery in it's future as well.

A wonderful story which explores the mysteries you'd find in a small town. Great characters with secrets and adventures both funny and heartfelt. I'd like to see Lily go on more adventures in the future. Hope to see more of this author.

11-year-old Lily has a secret she has to protect at all costs, which is easy because she doesn't talk anymore. This sweet story tackles heavy topics--guilt, crime, grief--but also has a good dose of humor in some parts. I liked it, but I can't say that anything in particular stood out to me as great.

Well, *someone* thinks this book is great because it has been added to the Battle of the Books list for my kid's school. But I read it and quite honestly, I just didn't find it all that gripping. I found myself wanting to skim over pages to get to the end, which is something I NEVER do. The story itself had some promise but I didn't find the characters all that believable or interesting. We read a library copy; I'd rather not buy this book to add to our collection.