A Summer of Sundays

by Lindsay Eland

Fans of The Mother Daughter Book Club (Heather Vogel Fredericks) and The Wedding Planner's Daughter (Coleen Paratore) series will fall in love with the humor, classic charm, and very determined heronine of Lindsay Eland's sophomore novel.

When you're the third of six kids, it's easy to get lost in the shuffle, but Sunday Fowler is determined that this summer she'll find the one thing that makes her stand out from her siblings.

And when she discovers a silver box in the basement of the library her parents are renovating, she might just have found something to gain her the attention she so craves. Inside is a series of letters addressed to "The Librarian" and a manuscript. But who wrote them? With the help of annoying neighbor-turned-new-friend Jude, Sunday is determined to track down the author. And when she unveils this novel to the world, she'll be famous!

But uncovering this manuscript means stirring up secrets that some people in the town hoped to keep buried. And Sunday must decide if some things -- loyalty, trust, friendship -- are worth more than her name in the headlines.

This title will publish simultaneously in electronic book form (978-1-60684-413-7).

Genres: Middle Grade, Mystery, Fiction, Childrens, Realistic Fiction, Family, Contemporary

336 pages, Hardcover

First published September 11, 2012

About the author

Lindsay Eland knew she wanted to be a writer ever since fifth grade, when she won an honorable mention for her book “What Can You Learn From a Giflyaroo.” The book received rave reviews and was highly acclaimed among her family members. Sadly, with only ten hard-bound copies produced, the book is now out of print. In high school and early college, Lindsay traveled to India and had the privilege of working in Mother Teresa’s Home for Orphans in Calcutta. Years later, after getting hitched to a wonderful guy she met in college and having four kids in four years, she decided she didn’t have nearly enough to do. Picking up pen and paper, she began writing again with the humor, passion, and determination that always marked her character. A true romantic like Polly, an avid espresso drinker, savvy, reliable, and a lover of all that can make her laugh, Lindsay lives in Breckenridge, Colorado, with her husband, their four kids, a great big dog they call Cowboy, and various bears and foxes that venture into their yard. One day Lindsay hopes to own a horse, and she’ll name him, of course, Mr. Darcy.

Lindsay writes funny, heart-warming stories to make you laugh, cry, and long for more.

Reviews

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

See more reviews at YA Midnight Reads

Thank you Egmont USA for sending me this copy. No compensation was given or taken to alter this review.

While not a flawless novel, A Summer of Sundays is an ideal novel for young middle grade readers searching for a light, humorous read. Yes for me, it was not awfully suitable, but if I were to go back two years or so and read this, I can say definitely that I would love this debut to a great extent.

All Summer ever wanted to do was to stand out. Be noticed and cared for by her family. However that's pretty tough when your the third of six diverse children. Yet when the family plans a trip and leaves without noticing Summer's absence, she reluctantly decides it's time to make her mark. In style. An absorbing read filled with quirkiness of a misshapen family, humour, light mystery and fun writing, A Summer of Sundays also shows briefly about a young, eleven year old finding her way to be something bigger.

Immediately, upon meeting Summer I could sympathise and comprehend her situation. Her voice is exactly what I was like at the age of eleven. A little whiny, always turning things into missions/ massive milestones in life and utterly lost. Eleven and twelve is the ages where young, cute little children develop into teens, and like me, I was a little lost and all over the place. Summer is full of character, and genuine. No matter how much people claim her for being over reactive, this is a younger protagonist we are dealing with.

Our plot is rather... unbelievable. It's stretching reality a little but altogether fascinating to watch expand and grow along with the fun mystery- which admittedly was predictable. (But hey, let me feel like a fortune teller for once, okay?) There's a little whisp of a romance camouflaged between all the plot and mystery. Gladly, it wasn't some angsty teenager gunk which clearly is not suited for this genre. It wouldn't even be a subplot- more like a little interesting backdrop for the audience to seek out just barely.

Getting a little personal and irrelevant but must simply be stated. (Go on, just ignore me. I can't help myself) I love Jude for one main reason: There is a scene where they are writing a list of favourite authors and I was practically chanting Rick Riordan's name to Jude and Summer (in other words I was screaming at my kindle) and then Jude just happens to write down, 'Rick Riordan'. Excuse me as I go and flail. But seriously, ERMAHGERD.

A Summer of Sundays is a satisfying read that I'm sure middle grade readers a going to rave about. A light mystery, hint of romance and a girl finding a way to make her mark, is what this book is all about.

[Akoss · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sunday Fowler's story tugged on my heart from the first chapter and held onto it even after I was done reading the book.

I had no idea how it could be like being one of the six or a middle child until I read this book. I'm a first born and always hated it. I hated having to take responsibility for my siblings messing up and what not, but Sunday never got noticed. That was a very hard place for her to be and wanting that to change was what drove the whole story.

Sunday got her chance when she crossed path with a mysterious manuscript and she believed solving that mystery was going to put her in the news papers and on TV. She made mistakes along the way but ultimately did the right thing by her heart.

I loved how the author unraveled the mystery of the manuscript always keeping Sunday's emotions as the constant drive to solving it.

I was a bit concerned as to how all the siblings were going to play any part in the story. I was glad to find out that not only were they involved in their own way but it also shed a different light on their personalities. Of course Sunday prevailed since the story was told from her point of view but I also enjoyed her brother Bo's ARC.

The Fowler family dynamics were quite real and vivid and sometimes a bit messy just like in real life. I loved that the parents were somewhat involved in the story and not just brushed aside.

I also enjoyed the small town feel and how cozy the place felt. This was such a perfect summer read. It will leave you satisfied but also sad that everything was over. You know that feeling you get once summer vacation is over? and you hope to experience the same magic next year? Yes that feeling.

[Layla Conceicao · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did not really enjoy but it did have an interesting story line but, i found myself getting very distracted with other things

[Sarah Whisted · Rating 5 out of 5]

I bought this book as a recommendation from my friend Akoss for her summer reading challenge and while I failed to read it in that time frame, I'm glad to have fit it in to my schedule a little every day this month because it was such a GREAT summer read.

The mystery element of the story was obvious to me almost immediately, but not in a way that made reading it feel like a waste of time. I LOVE stories about big families, having always wished to be a part of one or make one for myself, and the chaos that's associated with them. And I fell in-love with middle child Sunday the minute her family arrived/left the gas station. Seeing her character growth had me crying actual happy tears by the end of the book.

I'm pretty sure this might be one of my favorite MG books now. So good!

[Carolyn]

DNF at 49%

This started so strong with Sunday being left at the gas station and had so much premise. But it’s boring. And slow. And I think too young for me on the middle grade scale. I probably would have loved it when I was nine years old. But as an adult I just can’t get invested. Sorry book. :(

[Sam Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exceptional book. really captures how it feels to be a middle child.(I should know, being one myself)

[Crys · Rating 4 out of 5]

As the novel opens, we meet Sunday Fowler, one of six who just wants to be noticed. When her parents stop at a gas station and leave her there, I was convinced I was going to read a ‘Home Alone’ type of story. Instead, I found this to be an endearing tale of an almost twelve-year-old little girl looking for her family to notice her.

Sunday is the “go to” child in the family, the one her parents know they can count on. While this is admirable, it is also tiresome to her. She wants more than just being Sunday.

When her father decides to bring the entire family in on his latest job—restoring a library—a new adventure in Sunday’s life begins. She discovers a locked box in the basement, and curiosity getting the better of her, opens it to discover mysterious letters written to “Librarian.” This sets into motion a summer Sunday soon won’t forget—and quite possibly a summer where she will make her mark. After all, what if these letters are a lost legend of a famous local writer? (I felt a bit like this element was paying homage to Harper Lee.)

The plot is solid storytelling—a family of six with two parents who love their children and are doing all they can to be there and provide. I found the book to have a nice pace to it, especially for young readers, and for once the parents enhanced the story instead of getting in the way.

Mom seems to always bake something scrumptious, and there’s always more than enough for her family of eight. Dad is a genius at remodeling and his current project is the local library, a project that the entire family pitches in to help restore and repair for a reopen. Really, I want to hang out with the Fowlers for the food alone. And the company. But really, for the food.

With a family this large, everyone has to do their part—but it seems like Sunday does more than her fair share. Of course, she is the story’s star and the focus is on her, but really there should be more equality among the kids. But isn’t this how it is in families? This is the realistic element that I felt a lot of young readers could connect with.

There are a lot of characters to contend with, which might become a bit much for younger readers, but the way the author has them step in and out of the story allows readers to keep up with them (instead of easily becoming confused, and with this many characters, it’s a risk the author pulls off).

My favorite character is Jude. He is not one of Sunday’s siblings, just a friend who wants to help her make her mark—and make the right decision. He is there every step of the way, and he knows the true meaning of friendship. His mother is a bit over-bearing with her “organic” kick (sometimes kids just need to be kids), but overall Jude stole the show a bit from Sunday with his good manners and level head.

With six children, a mom and dad, a best friend, and a local recluse who is rumored to eat small children, ‘A Summer of Sundays’ will keep young readers engaged with love, friendship, and the meaning of honor as well as engage them in a mystery. Who did write those letters?

I recommend this book for readers age 9+. It really will appeal to those tween readers who enjoy Candy Apple books and fun family reads. But this is not just a book for girls. While the main character is a girl, she has three younger brothers and a male friend that will appeal to the young male reader in your life as well.

[Estelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally posted on Rather Be Reading Blog

You may not know it yet but you are probably a lot like Sunday. In most ways. Maybe you’re not smack dab in the middle of six kids in a family but even if you have another sibling, I’m sure your parents or relatives have mixed up your names. Or like me, with three older successful cousins, you can feel inferior sometimes. But I’ll go out on a limb and say you probably fit the bookish part of her. The girl who is so well-read (classics too!) at “almost 12″, she believes the library is magical, and she knows what it’s like to get lost in a story and its characters.

Seriously, Sunday is so enthusiastic about books you will fall in love with reading all over again.

In A Summer of Sundays, Sunday and her family are off to Alma for the summer. Her dad is helping to rebuild the library, her mom is chief organizer of the project, and the rest of their kids will make themselves at home for a few weeks. Sunday takes advantage of the new setting to seek out some circumstance that will help her stand out from her siblings once and for all. When she finds an unpublished manuscript in the library, her plan is to uncover the identity of the writer and make a splash with her discovery. She reluctantly divulges her find to new friend, Jude, who becomes her partner-in-crime and sometimes a voice of reason when Sunday gets a little too into things. (These two are too cute.)

As Sunday and Jude investigate within the town, we are introduced to some lovely supporting characters from Ms. Bodnar at the crepe shop and Mr. Castor, the misbehaving dog under the ownership of Muzzy and Phil. It was really wonderful to see how welcoming the small town was, and how easily Sunday’s family and the residents became friends and helped each other out. Eland really excels at the tiny details that allow each of these characters to feel so unique. (Even “off camera” with Sunday’s grandfather who always called Sunday his favorite day of the week.)

I can’t help but love Ben Folger, though. He’s the grumpy old neighbor that everyone is scared of and is connected to all these creepy rumors. Jude is scared to death of him, but Sunday’s interest is peaked. He’s just like a character in a few of her books! Maybe she can get him reconnected in society! I really liked watching this unconventional friendship unfold, and how Ben slowly reintroduced himself to a town that he has always loved (for many reasons). His own backstory is so romantic, and was truly a highlight of A Summer of Sundays for me.

There is so much to adore about this novel: Sunday’s curiosity to her insecurities with her place in the family, her older sister’s terrible driving lessons (who does not remember those times?!), loving (though busy) parents, and watching the process of a library go from an empty building to one where people can find joy in it again. And the allusion to To Kill a Mockingbird and Harper Lee? Such a brilliant bonus.

[Medeia Sharif · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sunday Fowler is the “middle-of-the-middle-child.” You see this right away in the opening when something tragic yet funny happens. She and her family are moving to a new place over the summer because her father has been hired to remodel a library. On the way there, they leave Sunday at a gas station. They do return, but only because they were going in the wrong direction, not because they noticed she was missing. Sunday vows that this summer she’s going to make her mark on the world.

While helping her parents clean up the library, Sunday stumbles on a surprising find in the basement. There is a manuscript, cassette tapes, and other items that she’s positive belonged to the deceased author Lee Wren. Wren was the author of THE LIFE AND DEATH OF BIRDS, her only published book and a pure masterpiece. She lived her last years in seclusion away from the hounding press. It is very possible this is Wren’s manuscript in Sunday’s hands. How will she prove that it’s Wren’s work? If Sunday has proof, then she can finally make her mark to stand out from her siblings.

Sunday makes a friend in someone who’s the opposite of her. Jude is an only child with a clingy mother. He tags along as they get close to a hermit by the name of Ben Folger. The children at first don’t want to befriend him because he’s a scary hermit, but things start to become clearer about the manuscript the more Sunday talks to him. Sunday must make a decision. If she pursues her dream of making her mark, which is an ache deep inside her, she may be hurting others in the process. Some things are meant to be a secret.

My complaints are that the writing could’ve been tighter and that the excerpts of Lee Wren’s unpublished manuscript could’ve been either shorter followed by a summary or in some way bigger, because those portions dragged a bit. Other than that, this was a really cute read. Many children imagine discovering something hidden and secret. That idea is very appealing. I liked Sunday and I even liked her siblings, even though she thought they robbed her of attention. I’m a big fan of Harper Lee’s TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, so I enjoyed seeing parallels between the real Lee and this fictional one. NetGalley provided a copy, courtesy of the publisher.

[Emily, Shadow's Girlie ✞ [semi hiatus till 26] · Rating 3 out of 5]

Content Warning
Some mentions of dating, a nightmare where a young boy gets engaged to her older sister, some mentions of kissing, some blushing, some mentions of dying, grief, & death.

~*~

Very cute and brings on very summertime vibes, making the title feel very appropriate. This was given to me by my mother from a summer reading challenge program and I ate this up. It's a very quick read and spent most of my time on a mountain vacation with this in my lap as I watched the mist curl around the mountaintops and the horses gallop just below our rented cabin.

And I know this was the whole point of the story, but I didn't like how inattentive Sunday's parents were to her. Yes, I get, she's the middle child (in a way I'm kind of the middle child, so I understand) but really, no parent is going to leave her at the gas station and then never notice she's gone. And I feel like Sunday should've have gone to her parents in a tearful fit and confronted them about leaving her there.

When I was about 6 or 7 and I just finished a ballet recital, they had all the little girls sit on the stage and wait for their moms to come and pick them up. I saw my mother grab my little sister and search the crowd of girls. She turned away even though I was in her line of sight. I balled my eyes out because I thought she had forgotten about me. She clutched me to her chest and said she just didn't see me and that she was so sorry.

See, if I was in that situation, I would cry, no matter what my age. I'm almost 17 and I would be sobbing because my parents didn't even notice I was gone! This book made me angry and sad in not-so-very good ways.

But other than that, it was a very beautifully plotted novel with a nice theme of not always needing to be in the spotlight to be great. I liked Sunday and I very much enjoyed that her friend's wealthy mother was the stereotypical snob. At first I thought she was but she quickly came to light as just being a concerned, caring mother. See, I come from a wealthy family and my mother most certainly is not a snob. You wouldn't even know we were wealthy upon first glance or even after hundreds of conversations. It's just something that doesn't matter.

[Jana · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 chewy brownies.

Cover Love: It's okay. I like the colors and it hints of a mystery but I don;t think it is overly eye catching.

Why I Wanted to Read This:
The synopsis! I was looking for a good middle grade book and this one sounded like the one.

Romance?: Nope, but talk of crushes. And there is a wonderful love story.

My Thoughts:
Sunday will be a character that will resonate with many, many children. She feels invisible within her family and longs to do something that will make her memorable. I think that most children of tween/early teen age wants to do something that makes them stand out. Because of that, many readers will think that Sunday should do what she was planning instead of doing the right thing.

However, as an older reader Sunday's obsession with making a mark bothered me. As a reader I could see the many, many ways that her family needed her and wanted her, but she was so blind to the attention her siblings got she couldn't see that. It made it a little hard to sympathize with her.

I like the friendship between Sunday and Jude. It was a good friendship, nothing more. She was kind of mean to him some time, or impatient anyway, but he put up with it. His adoration with her family was very sweet.

There is a very good mystery to be solved and a deeper, sweet love story. It's pretty clear to the reader what the outcome will be for the manuscript, but it's a good read to see how Sunday gets there.

With the way that Sunday's whole trip starts out it's easy to see why she is so determined to make her mark. I do wish she had told her mom and dad what happened instead of letting the wound fester for so long.

To Sum Up:
Good mystery and sweet story. I will be buying this one for my library for those younger readers who want a mystery. The romance is also sweet and innocent and will be an added attraction for readers.

[Heidi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book, much more than I expected. Sunday is a middle child and she feels like she's often forgotten in the chaos of family life. But this summer, Sunday determines will be different. She will make her mark in some way making it impossible for her family to forget her like they did at the gas station. While helping her father renovate Alma's library she makes a discovery that she believes will help her in her quest. Her new friend, Jude, is recruited to help Sunday make a statement, but her plan will only work if she can figure out who wrote the manuscript she found. Sunday's efforts to uncover the author lead to the revealing of secrets that others don't want shared. Sunday must make a choice about what is truly important to her before it is too late.

Strengths: The relationships between Sunday and her family are priceless, in my mind the best part of the book. Like many children, Sunday struggles to get along with her siblings, especially when it seems they get more attention than she does. The other relationships in the book are well done as well, Sunday's friendship with Jude, her attempts to get to know Ben Folger, the town hermit, as well as the thrift store owners with a huge dog they can't control. The relationships feel very real and are quite enjoyable to read about. Also the mystery unfolds in a believable manner. While I figured it out quite early in the story it was interesting to read about Sunday's thoughts as she uncovered clues.

Weaknesses: I'm not sure how much middle grade readers will enjoy the literary mystery.

[Kathleen Pacious · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! A Summer of Sundays is told through the voice of Sunday, the middle child of six, who feels overlooked, forgotten about, and unimportant. All Sunday wants is to do something important and be recognized for it. But with five other kids in the family, that won’t be likely.

Because of her dad’s work, her family moves to a small town for the summer to renovate the library. One day, in the basement of the library, Sunday discovers a metal box holding a stack of letters and a manuscript. Could it be another novel of Wren Lee, the reclusive author of the town?

A Summer of Sundays realistically portrays that desire each child has to (find) and solve a mystery. Sibling relations, new friendships and the “squirrel eating” neighbor make up the dynamics of the story. Quite explicitly evoking Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird (but for a younger audience), A Summer of Sundays also deals with the dilemma of exposing someone to the eye of the public. Just as in To Kill a Mockingbird, Scout realizes that exposing Boo Radley to the town is akin to shooting a mockingbird, Sunday also must decide if she is willing to take away the privacy of their neighbor, for whom the letters and manuscript mean a great deal.

A Summer of Sundays is very enjoyable with a realistic and likeable family and an age-appropriate problem to solve.

Reviewed for www.goodreadingguide.com

[Darby Karchut · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a delightful read. A Summer of Sundays by Lindsay Eland is the perfect middle grade book. Since Sunday is a middle child in a large family, her goal is to do something that makes her stand out from the rest of her siblings. However, it was what she didn't do (rather than what she did do) that shows her real character. Loved that about this book. And I kept laughing along the way as I read it every time Sunday's parents called her by one of her siblings' names. As a middle child of seven, I have been called by my sisters, brothers, and even the dog's name many time. Cracked me up!
The writing was exquisite and I can see why it has been called an "instant classic."
Highly recommend.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m not sure how I feel about this book. I enjoyed it but don’t know how many students will. It is a slow moving story about Sunday, a middle child who often feels overlooked by her family. She wants to make her mark on the world and gain recognition. She eventually needs to decide between doing something that would give her the recognition she craves or respecting the privacy of those involved.

[Sarah Threlkeld · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sweet but forgettable middle grade fiction about a girl from a big family who tries to solve a mystery in order to get noticed. The mystery is fairly obvious from the start and the protagonist's whining grated on me by the end.

[Jo Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely gem of a book about a girl named Sunday and her quest one summer to be a stand out amongst
her other siblings. A terrific read!

[Melanie Swider Wenz · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is full of mystery, suspense, relationships, and surprises. I will definitely be buying a copy for my classroom!

[Betsy · Rating 3 out of 5]

One Sentence Review: Not so sure about its more-feel-good-than-strictly-necessary ending but Eland certainly gets down pat the sheer unfairness of being a middle child.

[Izzy Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was so funny yet so sad. LOVED IT!!!

[Cynthia Rodrigues · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read Full & Detailed review: https://cynthology.blogspot.com/2013/...

Most middle children will answer to the injustice imposed upon them by the cruelty of a birth order. Every milestone has already been clocked by their older sibling, and nothing they do can match the charm and inventiveness of their younger sibling.

Imagine then the plight of twelve-year-old Sunday Fowler, who is the middle child of six siblings. In spite of being intelligent, attractive, sensible and sensitive, Sunday suffers inattention from her parents. Her naughtier brothers and her older sisters are all remembered for their distinctive personalities.
Her parents have a tendency to remember her name only when they have a chore in mind for her. At all other times, she is referred to by one of her other two sisters’ names.
Growing up in a family that is so large that a dinner gong is required to summon everyone together for meals, Sunday longs to become more visible to her parents. Other than her younger brother, Bo, none of her other siblings, including two older sisters and two younger brothers care much for her.
One summer, her dad undertakes a project to remodel a library in the town of Alma, Pennsylvania, the home of Lee Wren, the famous author of modern-day classic, The Life and Death of Birds. Determined to do something that will earn her fame and a headline in the Alma Gazette, and most importantly, the regard of her parents, Sunday can’t quite make up her mind about what she should do? Should she save somebody’s life? Or foil a robbery attempt?
The necessity for coming up with a workable plan is heightened, when the family, driving down to Alma, forget Sunday behind at the gas station. When they return two hours later, it is because they had taken the wrong road. No one it seems has missed her for those two hours. It is a cruel reminder to Sunday that this summer is all she has to turn the spotlight firmly on herself.
In Alma, she meets an 11-year-old boy, Jude Zachariah Caleb Trist, who lives with his single mother and her boyfriend, who aspires to be Jude’s stepfather. Jude becomes the only friend Sunday has had, but, being the only son of an over-possessive single mother, even he thinks the world of her family.
Sunday finds the manuscript of a novel hidden in a box in the library. The box also contains some letters addressed to “The Librarian.” She decides to find the author of the manuscript, hoping that the discovery of the author’s identity will be the one thing she needs to fulfill her aim. Having eliminated other potential candidates, she settles on Ben Folger, the town recluse and one-time librarian, as the author of the manuscript. But she needs proof to support her claim.
Getting proof is not going to be easy, considering Ben’s reputation for locking little children up in his basement dungeon before eating them. Raw.
Sunday will do whatever it takes to get that proof, even if it means putting her life in danger and spending the night in a cemetery.

I found the character of Sunday most delightful. She reminded me of, well, ahem, (vigorous clearing of the throat) – me.
I too am a middle child. Of course, I am the middle of three children, not six, as poor Sunday had to contend with. But the trait that I could identify most with was the voraciousness with which she devours books. Like me, Sunday too reads books as fast as possible, quite as if there wasn’t enough time to read all the books she wants to.
Also, like me, she has a thing for libraries. As she says, “There wasn't a place I could think of that was more magical than a building bursting with books and stories and words...”

The story is filled with characters who love books. Like the late Mr Bodnar who came over from Paris with his wife, his suitcase only containing books. No clothes or socks or even underwear. His logic? As he tells his wife, “I can replace these, but not my books.”
There’s a reference to India too. Folger tells Sunday that India is his favourite place. “There’s a magic in India that you can’t really explain. The colours, the people, the beauty, the ugliness – all of it mixed together.” I thought that was a most apt description of India.

Eland has done a fantastic job of creating the characters. While Sunday comes across as sweet and precocious, even her brothers, especially the obsessed-with-poop-CJ, and her sisters, and others manage to stand out.

What I didn’t like about this book was that certain portions tended to drag on. About halfway through the book, it became evident whose manuscript it was. Why Sunday had to continue to investigate other potential candidates when the truth was staring her in the face was beyond me. Also, the end was not quite satisfying. Considering that Sunday was so close to betraying her friends, I felt that a little more drama was called for to make her struggles with herself, and her eventual resolution of her dilemma, appear believable.

Still, A Summer of Sundays is worth reading for the bitter-sweet that is every family, and for Sunday and her love for books. I’d recommend this book for middle school children.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Summer of Sundays is about Sunday Fowler who is the third child of six in her family. When she is left at a gas station by her family and is never missed, her perception of being ignored by her family is reinforced by their actions. Sunday's father has taken a summer job in Alma, PA helping to restore the town's old library and put it back into regular use. The family joins him there, and Sunday is determined to make her mark and somehow show her family that she is somebody. Sunday latches onto the story of Lee Wren, a famous author who lived in Alma. If Sunday can find some hidden secret about Wren that would get the attention of the media, she might finally get noticed. The thing about secrets is that they are secret for a reason, and Sunday finds herself having to make a decision that might change someone's life, and not for the better. In the meantime, we readers find out how important Sunday is to her family and friends by all of the things that she does for them. This is a wonderful coming of age story about a girl who doesn't see her value to her family until it is almost too late. The story was a little slow in the middle, but by the end, all of the build up leads to a satisfying conclusion.

[Annie O'Brien · Rating 2 out of 5]

As the second of 7 children, (and the middle girl) , not much of this rang true for me. The beginning just seemed like a sitcom and not believable but maybe my parents were exceptional. My mom always checked that everyone was safely in the car whenever there was "re-loading". Not to even notice that a child is missing for an hour was just sad to me but seemed like the author meant it to be funny.

Maybe I am overly sensitive but didn't think I would enjoy the rest of the book. I did skim over it and read the reviews though. I did enjoy the concept of the book-club books so may try another one of those.

[Jessica Kirsch · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this sweet middle-grade novel about finding oneself in the midst of a large family! I loved the positive/realistic depiction of family and sibling relationships. I loved the "curmudgeonly neighbor with a hidden past" trope. And the ending had me sobbing. I read this with 12 year old, who was exasperated at mom's emotions, but still begged me to read a little longer and finish the last chapters.

[Cricket Muse · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun coming of age story of Sunday, a girl from a large family who wants to be noticed. Shades of Harper Lee are imbued into the plot as Sunday discovers an old manuscript she believes was written by the town’s famous author, Lee Wren. Sunday’s scheme also involves befriending the town’s grouchy recluse who seems to have close ties to Lee Wren.

For those who enjoyed the warm chaos of the Penderwick family.

[Anushka R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is amazing! No and C.J were probably my favorite out of the six disclosing Sunday of course since they provided lots of comedy. This book also really digs deep about the concepts of being noticed and the thin line between right and wrong. So, if you are looking for a both mystery and heartwarming book, you should definitely read this.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun book! This was the first book in a long time that I wanted to read to myself when I wasn’t reading it aloud to my girls. I wanted so badly to know what was going to happen! We all enjoyed following Sunday on her search for significance. It was all very relatable. We’re excited to read more by this author.

[Piper · Rating 3 out of 5]

My heart went out to Sunday at the beginning of this book. I am 1 of 5 kids and I could really relate to that feeling of sometimes being overlooked. I really liked her spunk though and I loved how her relationship with Mr. Folger developed. The mystery seemed a bit forced and I felt like it didn't flow naturally but I still enjoyed the overall story.

[Tammie Groeneman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This a very good piece of children's fiction. It's got libraries, redoing libraries, big family with humorous situations, modern text and language but not weighed down with too much angst, summertime...it was an enjoyable read. Kids aged 10-15 should love it.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

All in all, it was a great book, but I can't help wondering how Sunday's parents were okay with letting Jude go to their house and eat meals and stuff when they barely met. This is my only concern, otherwise a good read.