Summer Bird Blue
By Amanda Nojadera,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Emotional novel deals with death, grief, and abandonment.
A Lot or a Little?
What you will—and won't—find in this book.
Where to Read
Community Reviews
There aren't any parent reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
Rumi Seto loves two things: music and her younger sister, Lea. She might not have all the answers to life's questions, but she's positively sure that writing music with Lea is the best thing in the world. But when Lea dies in a car accident and she's sent to live with her aunt in Hawaii, Rumi doesn't know how to begin coping with her grief, and she's angry at her mom for abandoning her. Without music, Lea, or her mom, Rumi turns to her aunt's neighbors: Kai, the cute surfer with a laid-back attitude, and Mr. Watanabe, an 80-year-old man who's dealt with his own tragedies. With their help, Rumi just might be able to rediscover her love of music, finish writing the SUMMER BIRD BLUE song she was working on with Lea, and find a way to repair her relationship with her mom.
Is It Any Good?
Akemi Dawn Bowman's emotional novel provides an intense, realistic depiction of survivor's guilt while powerfully reminding teens that they don't have to grieve alone. With diverse, well-developed characters, vivid descriptions of life in Hawaii, and positive mental health messages, readers will be captivated by Rumi's journey toward healing. The poignant memories scattered throughout Summer Bird Blue demonstrate Rumi's deep love for her sister and the complicated relationship she shares with her mom. As Rumi forms eye-opening friendships with Kai and Mr. Watanabe, and realizes that music will help her keep Lea's memory alive, teens will understand the importance of family, friendship, and forgiveness.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the heavy themes of death, grief, and abandonment in Summer Bird Blue. How do these issues affect the characters' mental health, especially Rumi's mom? Is it important for kids -- even those who have never lost a loved one -- to read Rumi's story? Why or why not?
Do you think music helps people deal with their problems? How do you cope with issues? Who can you turn to? What help is out there?
How do the characters demonstrate compassion and empathy? Why are these important character strengths?
Book Details
- Author: Akemi Dawn Bowman
- Genre: Contemporary Fiction
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Music and Sing-Along
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Simon Pulse
- Publication date: September 11, 2018
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 384
- Last updated: June 4, 2020
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.
Suggest an Update
Where to Read
Our Editors Recommend
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
See how we rate