A Girl Named Summer [Mass Market Paperback]

Julie Garwood (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1998 | Age Level: 9 and up

Julie Garwood's tales always sparkle with the magic that comes from falling in love. Now her talent shines brighter than ever in an unforgettable tale about young love meant especially for younger readers.

Summer never meant to lie. She just wanted to keep the most perfect guy she ever met interested in her. She had been surprised when David began hanging out with her every day...and dizzy with happiness when he kissed her. David seemed to like her unconventional Irish family, even her eccentric Grandpa. Everything was going great -- until Ann entered the picture. She collected boys like trophies. How could Summer compete with someone like that?

Before she knew it, Summer was boasting to David about her passion for long-distance running. She never dreamed he'd enter them in a six-mile race. Summer dreaded the moment when he would discover the truth: she couldn't run six blocks. And the flirtatious Ann was already working on David. Then Summer's Grandpa came up with a plan that was just crazy enough to save the day....

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-9-In this light romance, 15-year-old Summer falls hard for athletic, preppy David; loses him to an unworthy, manipulative female foe; and then wins him back. The twist here is the dilemma that arises when Summer tries to impress David by overstating her running experience and is found out. With the encouragement of her grandfather, she trains for and competes in a major race even after her romance has soured. The plotting is predictable and the dialogue clich?d: Summer's rival bats "her eyelashes furiously." Other characters seem made-to-order, such as Summer's cute three-year-old brother and her eccentric but lovable grandfather. The teen males are easily manipulated and never seem to struggle with the issues of self-image faced by the other sex. But why quibble? Meaningful values are imparted: Summer learns the importance of honesty and effort while building self-esteem and confidence in her running ability. By the end of the novel, her ties with her family are reinforced and her relationship with David is secure. Though flawed, this is a respectable entry in a genre that is popular among female teen readers.
Mary Ann Carcich, Brooklyn Public Library, NY
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Gr. 7^-9. A popular adult romance novelist tries her hand at writing for young adults. In this undemanding but engaging result, Summer falls in love with a boy she meets at a church hall where her grandfather plays bingo. Garwood uses lots of dialogue to keep things moving as the conflict develops. When David meets an attractive new girl, Summer becomes insecure and invents a lie about being a long-distance runner. Predictably, the lie leads to trouble: David registers himself and Summer for a six-mile charity race. The plot, which is filled with typical teenage circumstances, verges on the preposterous, but it is saved by Garwood's portrayal of the characters' caring relationships and the fact that she doesn't let Summer take the easy way out. Shelley Townsend-Hudson

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 9 and up
  
• Mass Market Paperback: 176 pages
• Publisher: Simon Pulse (October 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067102342X
• ISBN-13: 978-0671023423
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #312,643 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Julie Garwood is the author of numerous New York Times bestsellers, including Fire and Ice, Shadow Music, Shadow Dance, Murder List, Killjoy, Mercy, Heartbreaker, Ransom, and Come the Spring. There are more than thirty-six million copies of her books in print.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pleasant,easy read, October 28, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Girl Named Summer (Mass Market Paperback)

This is a pretty good book. It's nice and relaxing to read. I got hooked on it. How many of us have met girls almost exactly like Ann Logan? David was kind of gullible and indecisive,though, switching from Summer to Ann and back again. It showed what a mess lies can get you into . It was a little childish,but I enjoyed reading it. It related to my life. "A Girl Named Summer" would probably be best for girls ages 12-15.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Nice Change From Julie's Norm, May 26, 2000

By 

Kelly - See all my reviews

This review is from: A Girl Named Summer (Mass Market Paperback)

I am absolutley obsessed with Julie Garwood's books, and it did not phase he at all tht this book was aimed toward younger readers. Infact, it just displayed Ms. Garwood's talent for writing. She really knows how to write any knid of book, and I am not at all dissapointed with this offering. It was actually nice for me to read a book that was directed at my own age. My mom was telling me "Finally, a book for your own age!" (I'm only thirteen). There are many reasons why I loved this book. 1) I really identified with Summer. She is really a normal teen, and it is nice to read about people like yourself. Unlike Julie's historical characters, you know what Summer is going through because you have experienced it firsthand in your own time. 2) She really explained the joys of running well. I myself am a runner, and she really depicted it well. 3) I was glued to my seat from the first page on. Like I have said before, I knew what the characters were going through.

So, if you are a dedicated Garwood fan, or a young adult, this is a great, quick read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good, quick read, January 27, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: A Girl Named Summer (Mass Market Paperback)

Ok, so it's not a historical romance geared towards adults they way her other novels are. Who cares? I like that Garwood has branched out into another genre, contemporary young adult fiction, and I think she could have success in the genre--as long as she doesn't stop writing her historicals! I enjoyed it very much, as did my other Garwood-fan friends. I hope she writes more.