Memories of Summer

In 1955, thirteen-year-old Lyric, her older sister Summer, and their widowed father pack the car. Poor yet hopeful, they move from the hills of Virginia to Flint, Michigan, where "Poppy" plans to find factory work. Once they are in Michigan, Lyric and Summer love the excitement of the city. Lyric makes friends at her new school, but Summer feels like an outcast. Soon, the close bond between the two sisters begins to dissolve. Lyric always knew that Summer was a bit odd, but now Summer withdraws more and more into a fantasy world. Filled with love and pain, Memories of Summer is Lyric's story of her sister's descent into mental illness. Newbery Award-winning Ruth White is noted for her ability to capture the conflicts and emotions that affect many young adults. Narrator Kate Forbes'gentle voice captures both the sisters and their changing world. For more by Ruth White, look for Weeping Willow, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults.