Summerlost
Deeply moving story of grieving girl trying to move on.
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
A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Summerlost follows a 12-year-old girl's first summer after her father and young brother were killed by a drunk driver. Wistfulness permeates the novel, including a boy's wish to connect with his emotionally distant father, an obsession with the life and early death of an admired actress, and a girl's struggle to find her footing after learning that nothing is ever certain. Ally Condie (Matched) writes with an understated narrative style, making the grief particularly heartrending and palpable. Middle-grade characters are given considerable responsibility and independence -- they sometimes deceive their parents about their activities, but they don't get into serious trouble and are held accountable.
Community Reviews
Are you kidding me?
Report this review
What's the Story?
It's been a year since Cedar Lee's father and her young brother, Ben, died in a car accident. Her broken family is spending the summer in her mother's Utah hometown, where Cedar meets a new friend, Leo, and lands a job working at the Summerlost theater festival. Leo loves theater and is fascinated by local legend Lisette Chamberlain, an actress who died mysteriously years ago. Cedar is drawn into the drama of Lisette's life, helping Leo conduct tours for Lisette's fans. As she learns more about Lisette and how her remarkable life and tragic death hauntingly linger for the town and her admirers, Cedar grapples with how the aching loss of her father and brother will color the rest of her days.
Is It Any Good?
This beautifully told story of a girl struggling to find normalcy after the horrific loss of her father and brother sneaks up on you, hooking you with its blend of heartbreak, healing, and hope. SUMMERLOST is a pitch-perfect offering from Ally Condie, best known for the fantasy Matched trilogy. Anyone who's dealt with loss -- whether the death of a loved one or a parting of ways with a friend -- will relate to Cedar's difficulty reconciling her past with her future. She struggles with regret, guilt, and fear, with her faith in the everyday badly shaken.
Cedar is haunted not only by what she loved and misses about her father and brother but by what she didn't get a chance to know and will never be able to understand. Gently written but emotionally searing, this honest, quiet novel is a good starting point for conversations about life, death, and the mark we leave on those around us.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about death and grief. Can you relate to Cedar's experience?
Why do you think Cedar's story is set with a drama festival as a backdrop?
What do you think is the best way to handle a bully?
Book Details
- Author: Ally Condie
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship, Great Boy Role Models, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Dutton Children's Books
- Publication date: March 29, 2016
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 10 - 14
- Number of pages: 272
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: September 28, 2021
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Question of Miracles
Heartfelt, hopeful meditation on grief and life.
-
Big Hero 6
Awesome origin story is action-packed, deals with grief.
-
Eggs
Offbeat, moving tale of coping with grief.
For kids who love stories of grief and coming of age
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