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Summer in the City of Roses
By Andrea Beach,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Moving, sweet coming-of-ager with magical realism goes deep.
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What's the Story?
SUMMER IN THE CITY OF ROSES tells the story of 17-year-old Iphigenia (Iph) and her 15-year-old brother Orestes (Orr) when they each find themselves alone on the streets of Portland. Orr is alone because he ran away from the boot-camp facility that kidnapped him, and Iph ran away from her father when she found out he arranged the whole thing. The two have been inseparable growing up because Orr's sensitivities make it hard for him to cope and interact with the larger world, and Iph has always been there to help him out. Orr gets taken in by an all-girl punk band called The Furies, and Iph gets taken in by George, a Robin-Hood type figure who often roams the streets offering help to people who look like they need it. The longer each of them are away from home, and the more people they meet, they start to realize that they're each capable of much more than they thought. They each start to change in different and wonderful ways, but can they, their family, and friends help them become what they're truly meant to be?
Is It Any Good?
Strong, often lyrical writing lifts this moving and thought-provoking coming-of-age story above the ordinary. Summer in the City of Roses combines lots of different elements like myth, fairy tale, magical realism, history, family, and more, without ever losing its sense of place, or sense of humor. Iph and Orr are easy to understand and empathize with, and teens will relate to the ways they cope, or try to cope, with big changes in their lives. The diverse range of characters they meet, and even their own parents, are intriguing and colorful. The well-structured story of their adventures keeps the pages turning.
Some readers not familiar with magical realism may not enjoy the pretty abrupt way this element is introduced, when the story, which was firmly grounded in reality, suddenly asks readers to suspend their disbelief. But by then, most readers will be heavily invested in the characters thanks to author Michelle Ruiz Keil's strong, at times almost hypnotic, writing, and they'll want to see it through to the satisfying ending.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the positive representations in Summer in the City of Roses. Why is diverse representation important? Who are some of your favorite characters, and what did you like about them?
George volunteers for a needle-exchange program. Do you know what that is? What's the author's point of view about treating people struggling with addiction? Do you agree? Why, or why not?
Have you read any other books with elements of magical realism? What are they? Did you like that aspect of this story? Why, or why not?
Book Details
- Author: Michelle Ruiz Keil
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy , Arts and Dance , Brothers and Sisters , Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Soho Teen
- Publication date: July 6, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 14 - 17
- Number of pages: 336
- Available on: Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: July 21, 2021
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