Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

Shouting at the Rain by Lynda Mullaly Hunt
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this compelling middle grade book so much! Delsie and her grandmother live in a little nook of Cape Cod and the summer brings many changes Delsie has trouble working through. Her Grammy doesn't like to discuss Delsie's mom and she has so many questions, her best "summer" friend turns on her with fake friend, but Delsie begins a new friendship with Ronan, a boy just arrived to the Cape with this Dad. Delsie, Ronan, her grandmother and her neighbors are such strong, relatable characters and I fell in love with Delsie's personality, not wearing shoes all the time, her explorations and adventures with Ronan, and her summer of discovery. This is a MUST read, kids will GET Delsie and Ronan!

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Brethless by Jennifer Niven

Breathless by Jennifer Niven
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of the #BitAboutBooks Winter Reading Challenge for the One Word Title book. I love Jennifer Niven's books; they grab me, they dash me to the depths with sorrow and angst but always with hope, courage, and finding ones' self. Claude meets Jeremiah Crew after she and her mom run to seek solace from her father deciding to separate himself from Claude and her mom. Miah is an Outward Bound scout but he is so much more than that, as he honestly adores Claude (Captain is an affectionate nickname), sees the real Claude, accepts the real Claude and takes her on wonderful adventures that include so much more than sex; roaming the island historic homes, finding the ghosts, watching the tortoise's lay eggs, swim, ride bikes and so much more. Both are leaving in August for their future so they are very much aware they have no future; but what happens if they fall in love? Teens will love this book for the drama, summer fun, romance, family angst and so much more!

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The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand

The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Loved this book, the characters Dabney, Alice, Box, Clen, Riley and Nina!!! Thank you to Alicia my daughter-in-law for sharing this book, I fell in love with Elin H after I read the 2 books in the Paradise series. My daughter and Alicia read all of Elin's book and now I am beginning to read ALL her books too! My heart loved Nantucket and Dabney's family and world! She was a strong complicated woman in love with Clen (a traveling journalist a world away) even while married to Box. The other side stories of the successful matches Dabney made, and her daughter Alice's arrival one summer and all that that entails, held me captive, I could not stop turning the pages, such a great summer beach read but also filled with family drama, relationship conflict, and love of Nanticket!

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Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen

Keeping the Moon by Sarah Dessen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book for #yearofya August twitter chat dealing with 1980s and 1990s books (can be set in those year or published in those years) and it was published in 1999 and I just love Sarah Dessen! Her books were always out in my HS library. Coli is a 15 year old teen who has had a tough life of moving around with her mom (no dad), being fat and bullied in school. Fast forward and Coli is thin, daughter of a now famous aerobics mom and being sent to live with her aunt for the summer whie her mom travels fro business. And what Coli thinks will be a horrible summer turns out to be a very interesting one where she meets friends (2 sister waitresses who have alot to say), tries to understand her eccentric aunt, and begins to give herself and others (Norman) a chance. Dessen had me turning the pages as I rooted for Coli and totally detested the mean bullies. Coli's conflicts were crushing but with a new outlook, she just might figure things out. For those who loved Dumplin' & Holding Up the Universe, this book will resonate!

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The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson

The Unexpected Everything by Morgan Matson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Bailey Carr does a great job narrating this YA realistic fiction book about Andie, a teen who has control of her life- a congressman father, good friends, hook-ups with Topher and is looking forward to a summer internship. It all comes tumbling down when her father is suspected of being involved in co-mingling funds. Andie's summer job is gone and she must find a new one. Enter becoming a dog water and oh does everything change for Andie! I loved the story, the narration but listening to 528 pages was at times a little drawn out. This a great realistic YA story about love, friendship and finding yourself.

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This One Summer by Jillian and Mariko Tamaki

This One Summer by Mariko Tamaki
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read this book as part of The 2015 Hub Challenge but I have had it on my TBR because it received so many kudos! This graphic novel covers one summer and two friends at the shore. We fleetingly meet arguing family members, teens with problems, and friends who are beginning to have differences of opinions. I loved the illustrations, I kept going back and looking over the panels; Jillian Tamaki's illustrations are gorgeous, real, and bold. The bluish cover becomes rich black and white illustrations within the book. The main characters, Rose and Windy celebrate what they love about Awago Beach (turkey jerkey, amazing breezes, and bike rides) and we see Rose is beginning to outgrow building forts and become more interested in what is going on with the teens in the store. The spare words and amazing graphics make this a graphic novel many will enjoy!

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