Book Review: 'Twenty Boy Summer'

Special to the Herald-Guide

September 09, 2010 at 10:05 am  | Mobile Reader | Print 

Allison Robin

“Twenty Boy Summer” is Sarah Ockler's debut novel. It follows two best friends on a journey across the country from their homes in New York to the beaches of California, documenting every laugh and tear shared along the way.

When best friends Anna and Frankie lose someone they love in a tragic car accident, the two girls change in completely different ways. Thinking a vacation would be the perfect remedy to mend their broken friendship, Frankie brings Anna along on her family's trip to California. However, the girls learn that the trip will not only consist of swimming in the ocean and tanning on the beach. When their secrets are unveiled, their friendship reaches a point that may be beyond repair.

“Twenty Boy Summer” focuses mainly on friendship, love, and loss. I enjoyed it from beginning to end and feel that it is a great book for high school students to read. I could relate to the characters and some of the situations they were going through, from fighting with a best friend to obsessing over boys and outfits. I highly recommend this book to teenage girls.

Allison Robin recently completed her sophomore year in the academically gifted and talented in art programs at Hahnville High. She enjoys visual arts and participating in performing arts.

Editor’s note: Book reviews are published weekly in agreement with Hahnville High School gifted English teacher Deborah Unger in conjunction with the Brown Foundation Service Learning Program.