The Forget-Me-Not Summer

Title: The Forget-Me-Not Summer

 

Author: Leila Howland

 

Summary: 3 sisters, 12 year old Marigold, 11 year old Zinnia and Lily, age 5, are growing up in California, and living a very rich life. Marigold is a natural actress and a natural beauty too. She is noticed everywhere she goes - not only for her beauty, but also because she co-stars on a popular television show.

Zinnie is the middle sister with the kinky brown hair, stuck in her sister's shadow. She isn't a natural actress like Marigold and she doesn't really believe that she is good at much of anything. 

Zinnie and Marigold are not so very close - they are sisters and rivals after all. But when the girls are forced to spend the summer with their Aunt Sunny in a small beach town in Cape Cod, they slowly come together. Together the girls organize a talent show and the summer is full of surprises and lots of new excitement as the sisters go on their own journeys, leading them closer together.

 

Comments: I really enjoyed this book! Each sister is portrayed vividly, and even though each girl has her moments, they are all likeable. The beautiful shore and small town of Cape Cod were described so well that I felt like I was really there - no details were left out of any scene - it was like watching a movie as I read; I could envision everything clear as day.

The book is suitable for 8 or 10+. There are many lessons to be learned about a variety of subjects; first crushes, sister relationships, and learning to have a good time. There is a sister to appeal to every reader! While the book characters are slightly stereotyped (the pretty older actress sister, the overshadowed middle child, the angelic little sister), that doesn't make them less likeable in my opinion. Those stereotypes actually worked in this book.

Oh, and for fans of this amazing novel - a sequel to it is being published this year! Now that is something to look forward to!

 

Rating: 5 stars