caitief's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
nataliesboooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
lauriehnatiuk's review against another edition
4.0
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher Bloomsbury Children's Books for a digital ARC of this title to read.
Peyton is having the worst summer. Her family moved from Minneapolis to Lake Springs because her mother got a job at the university. Nobody talked to Peyton about it, they just moved, and Peyton feels that her life has been affected the most. Her older brother plays video games, so what does it matter where he sits to play. Her dad can work online, and although he is at home, he's always working, and her mother starting a new job is never at home. Peyton had to give up soccer camp and her best friend, Lily. Her father gives her a list of chores to complete when Peyton complains she has nothing to do because she doesn't know anyone. All of this changes when she finds what appears to be a time capsule box when Peyton is weeding in the backyard.
The time capsule has a code on it, half of a Best Friends Forever heart necklace, a mixed cassette tape and an apology. Now Peyton has something to solve - who were these best friends, and where are they now? In alternating chapters, we relive the summer of Melissa and Jessica and see how the objects in the box come to be part of the capsule. In the present-day chapters, we see how Peyton is slowly adjusting to life in Lake Springs, including meeting and befriending Lucas, who happens to be in a wheelchair and helps Peyton figure out who the two friends are and where they are today.
It's rare to see a character strong enough to stand up for another in a mean girl situation, modelling for readers a possible solution should they find themselves in a similar circumstance. When Peyton was at her mom's colleague's house, one girl was making fun of Lucas, and Peyton finds herself having to decide whether she wanted to stay with these girls. We also get a glimpse of the loneliness that Jessica experiences, being adopted and the only Korean girl in their small town. When Jessica shares some of this with Melissa, she realizes that she needs to be more attentive and look for those signs when Jessica may be having a hard time. These topics are not always present in middle-grade books, and it was wonderful seeing them discussed.
This story delicately intertwines the friendship of Melissa and Jessica with Peyton and Lily. Despite being so far apart in time, both sets of best friends are experiencing the difficulty of losing their best friend. I see many middle-grade kids relating to this story in numerous ways, including moving, friendship issues, adoption, class and sadly, domestic abuse for some. This 240-page middle-grade book explores many relevant middle-grade themes that I think are perfect for a summer or even back-to-school read.
FIRST LINE: There were so many things I thought would happen that summer.
PICTURE BOOK PAIRINGS: Evelyn del Rey Is Moving Away,
The Big Bad Wolf in My House, Ten Beautiful Things and In A Jar
SIMILAR TITLES: We Dream of Space, A Home for Goddesses and Dogs The Next Great Paulie Fink, and Red White and Whole
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR: Past Perfect Life, Lonely Hearts Series and The Great Shelby Holmes Series
SUBJECT HEADINGS/TAGS: Juvenile Fiction, Family, Friendship, Domestic Abuse, Historical
Peyton is having the worst summer. Her family moved from Minneapolis to Lake Springs because her mother got a job at the university. Nobody talked to Peyton about it, they just moved, and Peyton feels that her life has been affected the most. Her older brother plays video games, so what does it matter where he sits to play. Her dad can work online, and although he is at home, he's always working, and her mother starting a new job is never at home. Peyton had to give up soccer camp and her best friend, Lily. Her father gives her a list of chores to complete when Peyton complains she has nothing to do because she doesn't know anyone. All of this changes when she finds what appears to be a time capsule box when Peyton is weeding in the backyard.
The time capsule has a code on it, half of a Best Friends Forever heart necklace, a mixed cassette tape and an apology. Now Peyton has something to solve - who were these best friends, and where are they now? In alternating chapters, we relive the summer of Melissa and Jessica and see how the objects in the box come to be part of the capsule. In the present-day chapters, we see how Peyton is slowly adjusting to life in Lake Springs, including meeting and befriending Lucas, who happens to be in a wheelchair and helps Peyton figure out who the two friends are and where they are today.
It's rare to see a character strong enough to stand up for another in a mean girl situation, modelling for readers a possible solution should they find themselves in a similar circumstance. When Peyton was at her mom's colleague's house, one girl was making fun of Lucas, and Peyton finds herself having to decide whether she wanted to stay with these girls. We also get a glimpse of the loneliness that Jessica experiences, being adopted and the only Korean girl in their small town. When Jessica shares some of this with Melissa, she realizes that she needs to be more attentive and look for those signs when Jessica may be having a hard time. These topics are not always present in middle-grade books, and it was wonderful seeing them discussed.
This story delicately intertwines the friendship of Melissa and Jessica with Peyton and Lily. Despite being so far apart in time, both sets of best friends are experiencing the difficulty of losing their best friend. I see many middle-grade kids relating to this story in numerous ways, including moving, friendship issues, adoption, class and sadly, domestic abuse for some. This 240-page middle-grade book explores many relevant middle-grade themes that I think are perfect for a summer or even back-to-school read.
FIRST LINE: There were so many things I thought would happen that summer.
PICTURE BOOK PAIRINGS: Evelyn del Rey Is Moving Away,
The Big Bad Wolf in My House, Ten Beautiful Things and In A Jar
SIMILAR TITLES: We Dream of Space, A Home for Goddesses and Dogs The Next Great Paulie Fink, and Red White and Whole
OTHER BOOKS BY THIS AUTHOR: Past Perfect Life, Lonely Hearts Series and The Great Shelby Holmes Series
SUBJECT HEADINGS/TAGS: Juvenile Fiction, Family, Friendship, Domestic Abuse, Historical
readingthroughtheages's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the late 80s pop references! Scary to think that is historical fiction, possibly even viewed as "the olden days", by the middle grade readers! Would be fun to talk to readers as they go through those parts!
yapha's review against another edition
4.0
Now this was a fun summer read!! Peyton is upset about her family's move from Minneapolis to a small town four hours away and the effect that will have on her friendships. While digging in the backyard, she unearths a box left behind by the previous occupant. Told in alternating chapters between Peyton in the current day solving the mystery of the box and Melissa in 1989, who buried the box, we learn a lot about both of them and how their family life impacts their friendships. This is a great one for readers who enjoy books about friendship issues and also anyone who was a teen or tween in 1989. (New Kids on the Block, anyone?) Recommended for grades 4 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
lisamcdreads's review against another edition
5.0
The Best Worst Summer by Elizabeth Eulberg is a fun, engaging mystery that centers around friendship and family troubles. Peyton recently moved to a new town, far from her best friend Lily. While bored and lonely, she weeds the garden in the backyard finding a box filled with mementos from a summer back in 1989--a time capsule. In the box, there is a cryptic message "I'm so sorry. Please forgive me". Peyton is determined to track down the buriers of the box and solve the mystery of the cryptic message.
I really connected to Peyton and Lily's struggling friendship when Peyton moved away and I got sucked into solving the mystery of what happened that summer in 1989 that tore apart Jess and Melissa's friendship. I also loved returning back to 1989, the snippets of songs and turns of phrase brought back many memories (although young readers will not get those references). Finally, I loved that Peyton's new friend, Lucas, is in a wheel chair but it's not the main focus of the book or even his character personality. It's just a small part of who he is.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
I really connected to Peyton and Lily's struggling friendship when Peyton moved away and I got sucked into solving the mystery of what happened that summer in 1989 that tore apart Jess and Melissa's friendship. I also loved returning back to 1989, the snippets of songs and turns of phrase brought back many memories (although young readers will not get those references). Finally, I loved that Peyton's new friend, Lucas, is in a wheel chair but it's not the main focus of the book or even his character personality. It's just a small part of who he is.
Thanks to NetGalley for the eARC.
wistyallgood's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
bookmead's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! Brought back so many memories of my childhood!
wordnerd153's review against another edition
5.0
Such a fun book! I read this in one sitting and just adored the characters and all of the 1989 references.
readingwithcats's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Domestic abuse
Mel’s father is abusive towards her mother but no “on screen” violence occurs.