Summer of the War

by Gloria Whelan

It's the summer of 1942. At her grandparents' island cottage in Michigan, 14–year–old Belle excitedly awaits the arrival of her exotic older cousin, Carolyn. Belle's expecting worldly sophistication and French style. But Carolyn brings much more than that: she carries the troubling reality of the World War that is ravaging her home. Turtle Island will never be the same again.

Set against the backdrop of breezy island cottages, this heartrending tale from National Book Award medalist Gloria Whelan is the story of a beautiful place and a special friendship–and how events thousands of miles away shaped them both.

Genres: Historical Fiction, World War II, Young Adult, Middle Grade, Fiction, Historical, Family

Hardcover

First published August 1, 2006

About the author

Gloria Whelan is the best-selling author of many novels for young readers, including Homeless Bird, winner of the National Book Award; Fruitlands: Louisa May Alcott Made Perfect; Angel on the Square and its companion, The Impossible Journey; Once on This Island, winner of the Great Lakes Book Award; Farewell to the Island; and Return to the Island. She lives with her husband, Joseph, in the woods of northern Michigan.

Reviews

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

**POSSIBLE SPOILERS** Not every book has to be amazing. Some can just be quietly enjoyable. (Which is why I sometimes have trouble giving a star rating on here; there are so many different criterion which I could decide them by!) This book falls soundly in the "quietly enjoyable" category. I liked Mirabelle and found her to be a relatable protagonist. She reacts to certain situations a lot like I think I would. I also liked the other kids' distinct personalities (especially Nancy, who didn't want to hurt any living thing). At first glance, the plot doesn't seem as if it would amount to much, but it's Whelan's typical attention to detail and careful observation of the minutiae that make this story enjoyable. I loved imagining Michigan at this time in history, and I appreciated all the descriptions of nature and island life. I wonder what happened with Ned and Mirabelle after the war? I hope he survived! I kind of think a sequel would've been fun, but maybe this book is better as a stand-alone.

[Meredith Henning · Rating 4 out of 5]

Violet's reading page: http://happyheartsmom.typepad.com/swe...

[Willow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Notes on content/conversation topics: a teenage boy is mentioned as being wild and getting into trouble by drinking. A girl sneaks out attempting to go to a bar with him. The grandpa swears once ("damned"). Someone dies overseas in the bombings (not graphic). A girl asks an older boy to elope with her (he refuses).

[Karen Trier · Rating 4 out of 5]

a gentle read

[babyhippoface · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is the summer of 1942 and as their parents do their part to help the war effort Belle and her siblings eagerly anticipate their annual trip to their Grandparents’ home on Lake Huron’s Turtle Island. Their dreams of a perfect summer are disturbed by the arrival of pampered cousin Carrie, whose father sends her from Paris to the island’s safety. Personalities clash as cosmopolitan Carrie bristles against the quiet island life and Grandfather’s strong hand. Junior high girls will recognize themselves in Belle’s heartfelt narration as she struggles with anger, jealousy, and disappointment in her attempts at familial harmony. This is another wonderful title from Whelan (Listening for Lions, Homeless Bird).

[Amber · Rating 3 out of 5]

EXTRA
Belle is a 14 year old girl who loves to spend her summer in Michigan on the island where her grandparents live. This book is set in the summer of 1942, so WW2 is occurring. Belle finds out that her cousin, Carolyn is staying with her family for the summer. Belle and Carolyn butt heads, and Belle feels as though her whole world has fallen underneath her feet. Carolyn strips Belle of her security as things begin to change around their little cottage on the island. Carolyn’s father dies in London from a bad air raid, and that is the moment in which Belle realizes that there is so much more to this world than herself. She reaches out to Carolyn, and as they grieve together over the loss of her father, they soon become sisters.

[Jennie]

Author of "Homeless Bird" has written another winner. Set during World War II in a summer cottage on the shores of Lake Huron, this story deals with families adjusting to wartime hardships and new members. Cousin Carrie, arrives from London to be safe from the bombings and leaves her father behind. Her mother is the sister of the mother of the children who spend every summer with their grandparents on Turtle Island. Carrie is very sophisticated in a French way, while her cousins are very casual and love the island life in the summer. How everyone adjusts makes a great read in this book by Whelan. gr. 5+

[Georgia Herod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Turtle Island in northern Michigan is Mirabelle's (the narrator) idyllic summer experience, when she visits the home of her grandparents. However, this summer will be completely different for Mirabelle and her siblings because Caroline, an unknown cousin comes to live to escape WWII and the bombings in England. What a disruption for Mirabelle! Through unhappiness, loneliness, defiance, discomfort, and death, Caroline and Mirabelle hammer out a surprising friendship. Whelan captures personalities and character development beautifully.

[Terrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gloria Whelan is one of my favorite children's authors. It is 1942 and Belle is spending the summer with her grandparents on small island in Lake Huron. When her sophisticated European cousin arrives, a fun summer vacation becomes challenging. The reality of a faraway war affects these young characters, and the complications and reactions are very believable. Great elementary level novel.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am reading this because it takes place in Michigan but the writing is junior readers. A good history lesson for young readers. A Michigan Author! Wonderful descriptions of the flora and fauna as well as the birds of Upper Michigan.

[Lena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think Summer of the War is a good book about a girl who spends the summer on an island with her family every year. But this year is a little different because her cousin is coming with them. This book is pretty interesting but is a little easy.

[Vicki · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 siblings spend the summer on an island with there the grandparents, while their parents work to support the war effort. For the 1st time, their cousin comes to stay, throwing their usual summer routine into chaos and new experiences. Good, not written that well, but it takes place in MI.

[Diane Wachter · Rating 3 out of 5]

HB-B @ 2006 9/10/06. 14 year old Belle resents the presence of her sophisticated older cousin on a family vacation at their grandparents cottage in Michigan in the summer of 1942, but their strained relationship is overshadowed by the war in Europe. (juvenile book - Michigan) Good

[TheLibraryOfSarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the complexity of the characters, but I didn't like the grandfather!

[Alicia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought this was a nice peaceful read. I liked envisioning where they vacationed. It sounded beautiful.

[Janie R. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story that took place in the 1940's, a war in the midst, and a family trying to connect together with each other, as they take in an extra family member- lots of issues to be solved.

[Carterkempgmail.Com · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very well written story of family, loss and growing up. Not heavy on the period details.