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That Fernhill Summer
Kiara Jones-Birkell knows a lot about the Birkell side of her
family, and nothing about the Joneses. The one time she tried
to ask about her mother’s relatives, her mom turned a spooky
greenish-white color and refused to talk to anyone. So it comes
as quite a shock when Kiara learns that the grandmother she
never knew she had is expected to die at any moment.
Suddenly Kiara finds herself on a train heading for Baltimore
– and her mother’s secret past. There she meets Zenobia, the
world’s most stubborn grandmother, who is as eruptive as
Mount Vesuvius. Kiara can’t understand what Zenobia could
possibly have against her – is it simply the fact that her skin is
dark like mocha latte, while all her cousins are white? Or is
there, as Kiara’s mother keeps hinting, much more to the story?
Told from the point of view of a teenager with spot-on
observations and hilarious insights, this is the story of three
generations of stubborn – and charmingly funny – women.
family, and nothing about the Joneses. The one time she tried
to ask about her mother’s relatives, her mom turned a spooky
greenish-white color and refused to talk to anyone. So it comes
as quite a shock when Kiara learns that the grandmother she
never knew she had is expected to die at any moment.
Suddenly Kiara finds herself on a train heading for Baltimore
– and her mother’s secret past. There she meets Zenobia, the
world’s most stubborn grandmother, who is as eruptive as
Mount Vesuvius. Kiara can’t understand what Zenobia could
possibly have against her – is it simply the fact that her skin is
dark like mocha latte, while all her cousins are white? Or is
there, as Kiara’s mother keeps hinting, much more to the story?
Told from the point of view of a teenager with spot-on
observations and hilarious insights, this is the story of three
generations of stubborn – and charmingly funny – women.
- GenresRealistic Fiction
176 pages, Hardcover
First published April 18, 2006
14 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 23, 2016
That Fernhill Summer is a charming, quick read. It hones in on the idea of family. Kiara had never known her mothers side of the family, she didn't even know that they existed. Until one day she got a phone call. And her whole world changed, she was thrown into a world she knew nothing about, with a grandmother who is wretched and mean to everyone. Kiara and her new found cousins decide that they're going to stay with their grandmother the whole summer while she finds a retirement home. The whole story is interesting, and it was a constant reminder to me that family is important, whether you have a good relationship with them or not. Best suited for 4-8th grades.
August 30, 2011
Kiara Jones-Birkell never knew her mother even had a family. She knows her Grandma Birkell, but now, after the phone call, she has a Grandmother Zenobia, two aunts, and several cousins. Zenobia has fallen, and Kiara and her mother rush to the hospital because she is not expected to survive. But she does, and now Kiara is spending the summer at Fernhill, learning the secrets of her family's past.
October 3, 2008
A quick and fun read. 13-year-old Kiara finds herself with a bunch of relatives she never knew existed. The mean and evil grandmother reminded me of my own unlamented Great-grandmother. Touches on lots of familial themes- love, loyalty, betrayal, expectations & more. Warmly told and sweet.
October 30, 2008
The cover of this book is slightly creepy.....
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews