Those Summer Girls I Never Met [Hardcover]

Richard Peck (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1, 1988 | Age Level: 11 and up

Drew and Steph, ages almost-sixteen and fourteen, reluctantly take a Baltic cruise with their heretofore unknown grandmother, a singing star of the 1940s, and have the experience of a lifetime.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Drew isn't looking forward to spending two weeks trapped on an ocean liner with his ill-tempered sister Stephanie and Connie, the grandmother he hardly knows. But once the cruise begins, Drew is quick to change his mind. Self-assured Conniean aging big-band singeris unlike anyone Drew has ever met. Even rebellious Stephanie falls under her spell. And in the days that follow Drew and his sister come to a deeper understanding of what it means to be a family. Though Drew and Stephanie's initial reluctance to go on the cruise is rather mystifying, for the most part this warm account of an unusual family rings true. Drew's rapid-fire narration is deceptively lighthearted: his goofy, glib voice proves capable of expressing a great range of emotion. Ages 12-up.
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From School Library Journal

Grade 6-10 Drew and his friend Bates had been putting the finishing touches on their summer fantasies of girls and cars when Drew's single parent mother bursts his balloon, telling him that he and his 14-year-old sister Steph (whom he sees as a meddlesome bother) are expected to accept an invitation from their never-before-seen grandmother to be her guests on an all-summer cruise from London to Leningrad. Much to their surprise, Drew and Steph become attached to their grandmother, Connie Carlson, a singer-entertainer who made her mark in the '40s and '50s. Connie brings together Steph and Drew, and they learn about their mother, their grandfather (an alcoholic piano player on board), and about themselves. They also learn the tragic truth about Connie. Drew's first-person narrative is permeated with an appealing mixture of sarcastic and self-deprecating humorsimilar to Robert Lipsyte's teen heroes. The sub-plots of Steph's shipboard friend's family reuniting in Russia and Drew's attempts to help his grandfather complement the main plot, and Drew's very funny amorous misadventures add a counterbalancing levity to what is basically a serious and believable coming-of-age story. Jack Forman, Mesa College Library, San Diego
Copyright 1988 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 11 and up
  
• Hardcover: 179 pages
• Publisher: Delacorte Books for Young Readers; First Edition edition (August 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440500540
• ISBN-13: 978-0440500544
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,724,145 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Richard Peck has written over twenty novels, and in the process has become one of America's most highly respected writers for young adults. A versatile writer, he is beloved by middle graders as well as young adults for his mysteries and coming-of-age novels. He now lives in New York City. In addition to writing, he spends a great deal of time traveling around the country attending speaking engagements at conferences, schools and libraries...Mr. Peck has won a number of major awards for the body of his work, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award from School Library Journal, the National Council of Teachers of English/ALAN Award, and the 1991 Medallion from the University of Southern Mississippi. Virtually every publication and association in the field of children s literature has recommended his books, including Mystery Writers of America which twice gave him their Edgar Allan Poe Award. Dial Books for Young Readers is honored to welcome Richard Peck to its list with Lost in Cyberspace and its sequel The Great Interactive Dream Machine...

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Those summer girls I never met 2v2, April 23, 2004

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Those Summer Girls I Never Met (Mass Market Paperback)

I liked this book becaue it was about this boy who had'nt met his grandma before. she invites him and his sister to come on cruise with her. They don't want to go but there mom makes them go. when they stay with they are glad that they went.

The worst part of the book was the begining it really was'nt attractive. I had to push my self past the begining then after that it was ok. The begining is boring then it gets tender as you read past it.

I liked the charectars alot Iliked how they acted and it seemed like something me and my sisters would do. I did'nt like the authors form of writing it was boring but I loved his description of the charcters. When a beautiful woman would come up and talk to the boy the author made it seem like she was an angel. I liked the conflict the sister did'nt wan't her grand ma to come ito her life because she was never there for 13 years of her life but her mom made her go that reminds me of my mom,.

4.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected delights, July 13, 2001

By 

L. Park (Alberta, Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Those Summer Girls I Never Met (Mass Market Paperback)

I'm not sure if the reviews give this book justice. I mean, I read the back, and I'm like, this sounds dumb, another teen pity problem. But I was pleasantly surprised when I read this how absolutely adorable this book is! The Mr. Peck writes in first person for Drew, and boy, he is some clever and witty! I had to break and laugh out loud for a while every once in a while during the course of the book. The story mainly focuses on Drew and Steph and them discovering what an amazing and fun woman their grandma, Connie, is, and that sometimes the best things in life sneak up on you if you don't watch them. This book was fun, though I was kinda sad by the end, but overall it was a feel good read. Definately sweeps you away to the cruise ship and the magic of travel.