Summer of Firsts and Lasts

Summer of Firsts and Lasts
By Terra Elan McVoy
May 2011
Galleygrab

Summary: This is the last summer that sisters Calla, Violet and Daisy will get to spend together at their favourite summer camp. Calla who loves summer and the camp is trying to get up the nerve to finally tell Duncan she loves him. Violet is determined to make the most of the summer, even if that means breaking all the rules. Daisy, the youngest, is just trying to survive living with girls who hate her. In this one life changing summer, the girls will learn who they are separate from one another, but also the value of sisterhood.

Review: Summer of Firsts and Lasts is a fun and sweet novel about sisters, summer camp, lazy summer days, friends and first love. The narrative is split between the sisters as they navigate their weeks at camp. While this could serve to disconnect the reader, it actually provides a much fuller story. The sisters are constantly interwoven through each other’s narrative, many of the stories overlapping. This results in a rather fluid read. The sisters each have their own personalities, so readers will be able to identify with at least one of them; whether it be cautious Calla, brave and free Violet or insecure Daisy. Readers should be aware that the book is rather long (around 400 pages), the story meanders and there isn’t a large climax. However, the story is perfect for those who enjoy rich, slower paced novels that have great characters.

Also by Terra Elan McVoy: After the Kiss and Pure

If you liked Summer of Firsts and Lasts, you might also enjoy: Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants by Ann Brashares, Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler, The Summer Before Boys by Nora Raleigh Baskin and The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han

Author website: http://terraelan.com/

Rating:
Writing: 3/4
Characters: 4/4
Plot: 3/4
Originality: 3/4
Popularity: 3/4
Cover: 4/4 (a perfect fit)
Grade Level Interest: JS