Common Sense Media Review
By Andrea Beach
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Teen's search for identity and truth is beautifully told.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 14+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Read
What's the Story?
THE SUMMER OF BITTER AND SWEET is the summer before Lou leaves the small town on the Canadian prairie to go off to college, where she wants to study paleontology and play competitive water polo. Once again she'll spend the summer working at her uncles' ice cream shack with her best friend Florence, her recently ex-boyfriend Wyatt, and her ex-best friend King. Lou's mom is spending the summer traveling, and her uncles are so caught up in their own worries that Lou is left to figure out a lot of things for herself. Like what to do when her estranged father, just released from prison, starts making unwanted contact. Or what it means that she doesn't want to have sex with anyone, ever. Or how to rebuild her friendship with King. Through countless scoops of ice cream and with the support of family and friends, a better version of herself starts to emerge.
Is It Any Good?
This first novel is beautifully written and brings the landscape and people of the Canadian prairie vividly to life with warmth and humor. There are also a lot of staunch cries for social justice and change that explore issues of identity, sexuality, racism, family, friendship, and so much more. But these big issues in The Summer of Bitter and Sweet provide important food for thought, and when they're raised they advance the story instead of bogging it down.
Lou's voice as the narrator is solid, and all the characters are well developed. Her struggles with her identity and sexuality make her easy to relate to. An introduction by the author offers some trigger warnings, and an author's note at the end offers further discussion about violence toward indigenous women and the importance of representation in books and other media.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the violence in The Summer of Bitter and Sweet. How do systemic and individual racism affect Lou, her family, and friends?
What about the sexual content? Is it too much? Did any of it make you uncomfortable, or is it not a big deal? Why?
Why is it important to have access to diverse content? What do we learn from reading about different experiences? Why is it important to see yourself reflected in the media you have access to?
Book Details
- Author :
- Genre : Coming of Age
- Topics : Friendship
- Character Strengths : Compassion , Perseverance , Teamwork
- Book type : Fiction
- Publisher : Heartdrum
- Publication date : May 10, 2022
- Publisher's recommended age(s) : 13 - 17
- Number of pages : 384
- Available on : Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, Apple Books, Kindle
- Awards : ALA Best and Notable Books , Common Sense Selection
- Last updated : September 29, 2025
Did we miss something on diversity?
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