Sunday, November 19, 2023

The First Magnificent Summer by R. L. Toalson - HIGH

The First Magnificent Summer by R. L. Toalson, 336 pages. Aladdin Books (Simon), 2023. $18

Language: PG (4 swears, 0 ‘f’); Mature Content: PG (first period mentioned); Violence: PG (father hits her)

BUYING ADVISORY: EL, MS - ADVISABLE

AUDIENCE APPEAL: HIGH

12yo Victoria Reeves lives in Texas with her mom, her brother Jack, and her sister Maggie. Their parents split a couple years ago because their dad cheated on their mom. Now, the kids have to go spend the summer with their dad in Ohio, along with his new family. Victoria is excited and wants to show her dad that she is grown up now. She also brings her journals, which she loves to write in all the time. However, her summer does not go according to plan. She gets her first period, her dad doesn’t welcome her the way she expected, she misses her mom, and more.

I thought it was a really cool idea that the author chose to write this from the perspective of you reading Victoria’s journals, however that did make it slightly confusing at times but overall it worked. I also liked how there were poems, quotes, and definitions included because it made you think more deeply.

The ethnicity of the main character isn’t described, but on the cover she is depicted as white.

Student Reviewer: Sophia, 9th Grade Student

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