The Alfred Summer

by Jan Slepian

When Lester, who has cerebral palsy, and Alfred, who is mentally retarded, meet, they form a powerful friendship, and soon find allies in Myron and Claire, and together they construct a "getaway boat" to escape from social norms, in a poignant novel about a group of courageous young people who learn to overcome their limitations. Reprint.

Genres: Middle Grade, New York

Hardcover

First published January 1, 1980

Reviews

[Larissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Four Brighton Beach teens--Lester, Alfred, Myron, and Claire--are all outcasts in some way. Lester has cerebral palsy and although he is smart, and witty, and insightful, all the people around him see is his physical disability. Alfred is learning disabled, a fact which leads many people to disregard his kind spirit and label him as a "retard" or "slow." Myron is clumsy and overweight and spends his days being teased and pushed around by his mother and sisters, expected to fill the shoes of his deceased father, even though he's only a teenager. And Claire is a champion runner on her track team, but she dresses like a boy, which many of her neighbors and peers find very disconcerting.

These four become unlikely friends, joining together to help Myron build a boat--The Getaway--which they hope will help them escape from their problems. What they find in the process is that with their new-found friendships, is that they no longer want to escape. Rather, spending time together, they discover the capacity to challenge not only the perceptions of people around them, but also the perceptions they have of themselves.

In Lester, Slepian has created a dynamic and unique voice--a smart, sarcastic, and cynical teen who has become resentful after years of being patronized by his parents, ignored by his peers, and unable to do the things he so wants to do. Although his experiences and feelings are very specific to those of an individual with cerebral palsy, many of his problems (an overbearing mother, a distant father) are common with teens and incredibly sympathetic. None of Slepian's characters are pitiable, but rather, she shows them each to have their own strengths and gifts, failings and fears. As Lester's father says in a rare show of attentiveness, "Sure people can be rotten. But at the same time people can be good. A little of both, son, a little of both...Just like me, Lester. And like your mother...and you," (98).

This is a story which emphasizes the importance of taking charge of oneself, of learning how to cope with circumstances that are out of one's control and making the best of them. This is not to say that The Alfred Summer is unrealistically optimistic or cheery. It's actually anything but. Slepian acknowledges that these kids will face difficulties and prejudice and that sometimes, unpredictable, awful things happen to very good people. But her characters find strength within themselves to deal with the challenges that face them--they tap into Claire's "Azzif Theory" and start to become the people that they want to be. It's a great lesson for any child who feels alienated or without control in his/her own life.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A poignant yet often humorous story told by a young and overprotected boy named Lester who is afflicted with cerebral palsy. Lester, though sometimes bitter, has more or less come to terms with his lot in life but his parents have not and this creates enormous tension at home. Lester befriends Alfred, a mentally handicapped young boy, against his mother’s wishes, and the two soon become best friends. They become acquainted with two other Coney Island castoffs and the adventures begin. While building their getaway boat the children learn that what is inside counts more than their appearances and that attitude is everything. It is a well written, realistic coming of age tale that is both painful and satisfying to read. The ending is overblown, the boat’s fate predictable, but Myron’s reaction and the crowd’s reaction to Myron end the story on lovely up note.

[Kitty · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting story of a boy with cerebral palsy and the friends he makes. Lester is the main character who has cerebral palsy and he later meets Alfred who is more severely handicapped that he is. Lester and Alfred and a boy named Myron an a girl named claire all become friends and build a boat together. Basically the story is about 4 teenagers who are trying to escape life and to get above or away from their problems but in the end they realize that they have each other and can accept who they are and deal with their personal issues. It is a good stoy that teaches looking beyond what you percieve when you first meet someone and seeing who they really are.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a children's book that the school library journal named one of its 100 books that shaped the century. A good story about a boy with CP who befriends a boy who is mentally retarded who then help another boy build a boat. A sweet book about friendship and liking a person because of their "insides" and not their "outsides".

[Cheryl · Rating 3 out of 5]

Told from the pov of a boy with cerebral palsy. When he becomes friends with 3 kids, he finds that we all have hidden talents and fears, and that even "normal" children have their own "disabilities" to overcome. Uplifting.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book teaches the importance of taking charge of oneself, of learning how to cope with circumstances that are out of one's control and making the best of them. I think that it is an excellent book for children and young people who feel like they have no control over their lives.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was very impressed with this book. The author gets inside the heads of characters we don't usually get to see. Reading it will be eye-opening and encourage empathy in young readers. Beautiful writing, as well.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frank. Startling. Thought-provoking. great heart.