Customer Reviews

Summer of the Skunks

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Summer of the Skunks draws the reader into the lives of a family forced out of its normal patterns by the presence of another family, a mama skunk and her babies who move in under the house. This deceptively simple story told by 10-year-old Jill trembles with undercurrents. It's as riveting as watching the bubble of surface tension on top of a glass of clear water.

Wilmoth Foreman pulls the reader right into the warm family dynamics from the first emergency, the discovery of skunks under the house, to the ultimate resolution of joint efforts for the protection and rehabilitation of an alcoholic friend and, finally, one descented pet skunk.

The author vividly presents each of the four children accurately re their natural sibling competition and developmental stages. The voice of Jill is both compelling and sage as she reflects on her low station compared to her more experienced older sister and brother. Her deductions and reports remind this reader of Bailie White's stories of southern rural living. Foreman's agility and ability to write voice and character are in the best southern tradition and extend beyond to caring families of any region.

"Summer of the Skunks" is a funny story about family told through the eyes of ten-year-old Jill. Jill wants so badly to be part of anything her fourteen-year-old brother does. She use to be his shadow but, this summer he doesn't want her hanging around as much. So, when her brother,Calvin, comes up with a plan to get rid of the family of skunks who have taken residence under their house, Jill is extatic. This is one of many plans (from finding a place for an old family friend to live, to getting rid of a dead beat cousin who's worn out his welcome) Calvin comes up with that summer which include her and their sixteen-year-old sister, Margo. It seems that Jill spends most of this summer trying to get thier attention, and feels pretty special when they ask her to do anything.

This is a nice, wholesome story I think kids would enjoy reading. The entire story takes place on their farm and there is enough humor and adventure to keep anybody reading. The characters are very likeable, especially Jill. It is so easy to connect with her right away, particularly if you are one of the yungest of several siblings.

So, what happens to the skunks? Does their plan to get rid of Old Retread work? Who is Rabies and what happens to him? "Summer of the Skunks" is worth reading to find out.

Summer is off to an unusual start for Jill and her family when a family of skunks begin living under their house! Forced to be quiet so they won't disturb them, Jill's family can't argue as they usually do. Jill's dad, a factory foreman, has been very busy at work, and her mom has been doing all of the housework, in addition to watching Jill's little brother. Then one day, Jill's older brother Calvin comes up with a plan to help Jill and sister Margo get rid of the skunks. The plan is successful, though they keep one of the skunks and name it Rabies.

Getting rid of skunks isn't the only adventure they'll have this summer. When they learn that one of their father's friends almost burns a renter house down, they devise a plan to secretly let him live on an old ship that they have in their backyard. Everything is fine until, one day, a relative comes to visit and he becomes very annoying. Jill then comes up with a plan to make him leave. Will the plan work, or will they have to put up with him until he leaves on his own?

Calvin and Margo's personalities remind me of my own personality because I can sometimes be secretive and bossy towards people. Who do the characters remind you of? If you like reading books about families and animals, read this book to find out what happens to Jill and her family!

--- Reviewed by Ashley Hartlaub