The Forget-Me-Not Summer: Silver Sisters, Book 1
Sisters grow closer away from home in smart coming-of-ager.
Kids say
Based on 1 review
Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
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 Leila Howland's The Forget-Me-Not Summer is an engaging story of three sisters from Los Angeles -- age 12, 11 and 5 -- who spend three weeks on Cape Cod with their Aunt Sunny, getting a taste of small-town life. The girls experience culture shock and can't wait to get home -- until they start making friends and solving some of their own problems. This is the first in the Silver Sisters trilogy. The sequel, The Brightest Stars of Summer, came out in May 2016.
Community Reviews
There aren't any reviews yet. Be the first to review this title.
What's the Story?
As summer approaches, three sisters have their world turned upside down when their parents send them from L.A. to Cape Cod to stay with their Aunt Sunny for three weeks while their film-editor mom and screenwriter dad are working on separate projects elsewhere. There's no TV, cell service, or friends from home in this land of clambakes and sailing. And, horror of horrors, they all have to share one room. Protagonist Zinnie Silver, 11, is a middle child who feels overlooked compared with her cool TV-actor sister Marigold, 12, and her adorable, attention-getting 5-year-old sister, Lily. Zinnie finally sees a chance to make a difference by helping bring back the town's talent show and writes a play for Marigold to star in. But ambitious Marigold seems to care more about impressing a young Hollywood star in town than helping her sister shine. Will Zinnie be able to step out of Marigold's shadow? Will Marigold realize what a great guy down-to-earth local boy Peter is? Will ocean-shy Lily conquer her fear of the water? Will Aunt Sunny move beyond her grief and open her heart to new love? They've all got a lot of room to grow in three weeks.
Is It Any Good?
This warm, nostalgic tale of summer growth and sisterhood is an engaging read with well-drawn characters, a nuanced, multilevel plot, and a classic, colorful setting. The kids' issues and arguments seem realistic and relatable. Even though most kids don't have a sister who's been a character on a TV show, the sibling squabbles and conflicts over selfishness and loyalty; the summer crush and first kiss; and the sense of feeling out of place when far away from the familiar all ring true. And fun-loving Aunt Sally provides a gentle guiding influence without being judgmental or becoming a cliché.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about siblings. What's special about the bond that sisters have? Is if different from the one brothers have? Do they argue more or less?
Why are books and movies about summer experiences so popular? Can people really change and grow in only a few weeks?
What does The Forget-Me-Not Summer have to say about our fame- and celebrity-obsessed culture?
Book Details
- Author: Leila Howland
- Genre: Coming of Age
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Harper
- Publication date: May 5, 2015
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 8 - 12
- Number of pages: 336
- Available on: Paperback, Hardback, Kindle
- Last updated: July 13, 2017
Our Editors Recommend
-
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy
Sisters romp through summer in old-fashioned charmer.
-
Counting Thyme
Sensitive, engaging tale of girl with seriously ill brother.
-
Summer of the Gypsy Moths
Captivating story of resilient girls has some dark moments.
For kids who love coming-of-age and family stories
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