A review by pwbalto
Boys of Summer by Jessica Brody
3.0
HUGE UP-SIDE: Nobody gets raped.
Seriously, looking at this cover, I was SURE somebody was going to get raped. I've just gotten sucker-punched too many times by the idyllic cover and the title that could mean anything, and then there's a party and it's Veronica Mars walking home with her shoes in her hand all over again. But not here. So whew!
Gr 8-Up -- It’s gearing up to be another perfect summer in Winlock Harbor, the only town on a tiny Northeastern resort island. Grayson, Ian, and Mike are looking forward to their last carefree summer before Grayson heads off to Vanderbilt to play football, Mike moves to New York City with his girlfriend, and Ian sets off into the world armed only with his guitar. But each of the boys is secretly hobbled by loss, injury, or heartbreak - and while they’re great at hanging out, talking smack, and watching TV, they’re each totally unable to express their sorrow or pain to each other, or to ask after one another’s feelings. Luckily, each boy begins a new romance with a girl, and they eventually begin to access their emotions as they each are forced to think about these new relationships. A great setting, lots of kissing, and a diverse cast of characters are pluses, but it can be hard to distinguish the voices of each boy, and the depiction of shut-down masculinity is a bit depressing. —Paula Willey
Seriously, looking at this cover, I was SURE somebody was going to get raped. I've just gotten sucker-punched too many times by the idyllic cover and the title that could mean anything, and then there's a party and it's Veronica Mars walking home with her shoes in her hand all over again. But not here. So whew!
Gr 8-Up -- It’s gearing up to be another perfect summer in Winlock Harbor, the only town on a tiny Northeastern resort island. Grayson, Ian, and Mike are looking forward to their last carefree summer before Grayson heads off to Vanderbilt to play football, Mike moves to New York City with his girlfriend, and Ian sets off into the world armed only with his guitar. But each of the boys is secretly hobbled by loss, injury, or heartbreak - and while they’re great at hanging out, talking smack, and watching TV, they’re each totally unable to express their sorrow or pain to each other, or to ask after one another’s feelings. Luckily, each boy begins a new romance with a girl, and they eventually begin to access their emotions as they each are forced to think about these new relationships. A great setting, lots of kissing, and a diverse cast of characters are pluses, but it can be hard to distinguish the voices of each boy, and the depiction of shut-down masculinity is a bit depressing. —Paula Willey