Sandy at 17, has just finished her freshman year at college. She is restless in the small, exclusive summer resort near Boston -- her father is in the Navy, most of the "old gang" are in the service, everyone is "doing something". But her father and her aunt, with whom she lives, will not let her take a city job. So she takes a job as waitress at the Windrush Inn, hoping to thereby bridge the social gap and get to know the "natives". But it doesn't work that way, though she has adventures, falls in love and ultimately resolves her restlessness by deciding to give up college and join UNRRA.
Elizabeth Janet Gray Vining was an American professional librarian and author who tutored Emperor Akihito of Japan in English while he was crown prince. She was also a noted author, whose children's book "Adam of the Road" won the Newbery Medal in 1943.
I read this the summer between sixth and seventh (elementary and junior high), as one of the books I got from my elementary school library during their purge of the shelves.
Its beat up, missing its dust jacket, somewhat torn up and shabby with aged tape markings and pages torn out from the front and back. Its originally from 1945 and its age, even back in 1996, showed. Its one of the books I affectionately called "Baby Boomer Teen Lit".
Its hard to connect with Sandy for me now, though as a 12 year old it was easier as I had no idea what being a teenager meant.
I also find it hard to stay interested in what is essentially a story about a girl relaxing for the summer. Her biggest problem is the new family maid, who resembles the witch from Hansel & Greta, and the guy she admires catching her at her worst moments. She doesn't seem that upset about her future plans (or lack thereof).
Its just her going through her days. A kind of slice of life book I had little interest in.