The Summer I Turned PrettyBy Jenny Han
2009
288 pages
“It was a summer I’d never, ever forget. It was the summer everything began. It was the summer I turned pretty.”
Summary: Every summer since she was born Belly has spent it at the beach house with her two best friends Conrad and Jeremiah. Despite always being in love with Conrad, the boys have seen her as nothing but a little sister. Yet the summer before her 16th birthday everything changes, and the boys start looking at her a little differently. In the midst of summer, sand and heartbreak, Belly must finally decide where her heart belongs.
Review: Han did a beautiful job at creating a warm and inviting story. One of the best parts of this novel is Han’s ability to capture the excitement and anticipation of heading somewhere familiar for the summer. Anyone who looks forward to the summer and the adventures it holds will find a place in this book. It was a fast paced novel with a lot going with respect to relationships unfolding. I wasn’t able to connect very well to Belly, but perhaps a younger reader would. I also wasn’t a huge fan of her boy choice, but I don’t doubt many readers will absolutely fall in love with these boys and Belly. A great summer read.
Also by Jenny Han: Shug
If you enjoyed The Summer I Turned Pretty, you might also like: When it Happens by Susane Colasanti, Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen, Looking for Alaska by John Green, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler
Additional Info: There are two other books in this series; It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer (May 2011)
Author website: http://www.dearjennyhan.com/
Rating: W3.5/4 C2.5/4 P3/4 O2.5/4 PP3/4 CR3.5/4
Grade Level Interest: J
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6 comments:
I've been hearing a lot about this series and have been meaning to pick it up. I am glad you enjoyed it!
I enjoyed this one. It was just a fun mindless summer read. It was just serious enough without being too intense. I don't know that I'll read the follow-ups, like you I didn't connect too much with Belly and I'm not sure I ultimately care what happens to her.
I really loved this book and the 2nd one... I've heard a lot of people say they didn't connect with Belly, but I think I did for some reason. Either way, I really adored the writing, and I love basically all the read alikes you mentioned, haha.
I've seen a lot about this book, but wasn't sure whether to buy or borrow it. I'll probably get it from the library now though. Thanks for the review!
Sounds like something i need to read right now!
I thought this sounded like a really fun summer read a la Sarah Dessen and I'm glad to see you compare it to her! I loooove Dessen! Thanks for the great review - can't wait to pick this one up!
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