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Summer At Forsaken Lake (2012)

by Michael D. Beil(Favorite Author)

3.8 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

0375867422 (ISBN13: 9780375867422)

languge

English

genre

Middle Grade & Children's

publisher

Random House Children's Books

review 1: A charming, somewhat old fashioned tale coming-of-age, finding independence, learning about your parents, summer puppy love story held together by a mystery. The mystery is the weakest part and that undermines the strength of the story as a whole. The solution to the mystery falls into place a little too easily, with a few too many coincidences, and by the timely asking of questions people have felt somehow willing to ignore for twenty plus years. That said, Beil creates a believable and compelling summer community and conveys the lazy days of youthful summer when one day blends endlessly into the next until those final days in August when the summer closes with a rush and the return to the reality of school and September come crashing in. All in all, a good read. One that... more would appeal to bookish ten to twelve year olds with fantasies of independence.
review 2: I enjoyed this story. It was labeled as a mystery, but I would also see it as an adventure. I believe it is marketed for grades 3-6, but I think this would appeal to middle school readers also. Great cast of characters, a lot of self-discovery, and some family secrets brought to light. I loved the way the present story mirrored the past, when the main character's father had spent his summer on the same lake. I also appreciated that the kids "had to" resort to reading books for entertainment because Uncle Nick didn't have a TV. less

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