What do you think?
Rate this book
Watermelon Summer
The days are juicy and sweet, but beware the seeds in a watermelon summer!
Forsythia's bedtime stories as a child centered around the intentional community where she'd been conceived and which her mother had abandoned soon after her birth. So even though she was more familiar with subways than with milk cows, Forsythia knew she couldn't let the farm be sold sight unseen. She threw away her pre-college European adventure and resolved to be the catalyst bringing the ailing community back to life.
Getting from the airport in no-bus-service West Virginia to the Kentucky commune where her mother once lived turned out to be the easy part of Forsythia's adventure. Harder was searching for an elusive father who felt cryptic notes and a library card were sufficient stand-ins for his presence. The piercing blue eyes of a perfect boy further complicated matters, making it difficult to hold onto her own ambitious plans for the future.
Add in a rustic farmhouse, a flooded creek, and an unexpected betrayal, and the deck seemed to be stacked against Forsythia. But she couldn't give up because if the intentional community disintegrated, Forsythia would never really understand what she'd been missing.
And she'd never meet her bio-dad.
Forsythia's bedtime stories as a child centered around the intentional community where she'd been conceived and which her mother had abandoned soon after her birth. So even though she was more familiar with subways than with milk cows, Forsythia knew she couldn't let the farm be sold sight unseen. She threw away her pre-college European adventure and resolved to be the catalyst bringing the ailing community back to life.
Getting from the airport in no-bus-service West Virginia to the Kentucky commune where her mother once lived turned out to be the easy part of Forsythia's adventure. Harder was searching for an elusive father who felt cryptic notes and a library card were sufficient stand-ins for his presence. The piercing blue eyes of a perfect boy further complicated matters, making it difficult to hold onto her own ambitious plans for the future.
Add in a rustic farmhouse, a flooded creek, and an unexpected betrayal, and the deck seemed to be stacked against Forsythia. But she couldn't give up because if the intentional community disintegrated, Forsythia would never really understand what she'd been missing.
And she'd never meet her bio-dad.
173 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2013
7 people are currently reading
540 people want to read
About the author
Anna Hess
52 books111 followersAnna Hess dreamed about moving back to the land ever since her parents dragged her off their family farm at the age of eight. She worked as a field biologist and nonprofit organizer before acquiring fifty-eight acres and a husband, then quit her job to homestead full time. She admits that real farm life involves a lot more hard work than her childhood memories entailed, but the reality is much more fulfilling and she loves pigging out on sun-warmed strawberries and experimenting with no-till gardening, mushroom propagation, and chicken pasturing.
She also enjoys writing about the adventures, both on her blog at WaldenEffect.org, and in her books. Her first paperback, The Weekend Homesteader, helped thousands of homesteaders-to-be find ways to fit their dreams into the hours leftover from a full-time job. The Naturally Bug-Free garden, which suggests permaculture techniques of controlling pest invertebrates in the vegetable garden, is due out in spring 2015 from Skyhorse Publishing. In addition, a heaping handful of ebooks serve a similar purpose.
(As a side note, I use Goodreads more as a personal way of keeping track of the books I read than as a way to share the books I write. If you're here to learn about me as an author, check out my gardening-homesteading shelf and ignore all the fluff. You can also drop by www.wetknee.com for my authorial musings.)
She also enjoys writing about the adventures, both on her blog at WaldenEffect.org, and in her books. Her first paperback, The Weekend Homesteader, helped thousands of homesteaders-to-be find ways to fit their dreams into the hours leftover from a full-time job. The Naturally Bug-Free garden, which suggests permaculture techniques of controlling pest invertebrates in the vegetable garden, is due out in spring 2015 from Skyhorse Publishing. In addition, a heaping handful of ebooks serve a similar purpose.
(As a side note, I use Goodreads more as a personal way of keeping track of the books I read than as a way to share the books I write. If you're here to learn about me as an author, check out my gardening-homesteading shelf and ignore all the fluff. You can also drop by www.wetknee.com for my authorial musings.)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 11, 2014
I read a lot of YA books and I have to say Watermelon Summer was unlike any book I've ever read. It is so unique in plot and characters. Forsythia is a strong young woman and is brave enough (and somewhat crazy too!) to forgo her trip to Europe to instead explore her roots at Greensun, an intentional community her mother had once been part of. I'd never heard of intentional communities before and I learned a lot from this book.
This was a coming of age story, unlike any other. Thia accomplished so much with the help of some unique and quirky characters. Towards the end of the book, I literally gasped out loud twice. I won't say why because I don't want to spoil it, but I was ticked by one incident and extremely saddened by the other.
The only aspect I would've liked to have seen more of in the romance department between Thia and Jacob (I'm a sucker for romance though!). Perhaps there will be a sequel that will explore their relationship more (hint, hint to the author). Even though there wasn't as much romance as I personally would've liked, I understand why there wasn't. This wasn't a story about romance. This was a story about self-discovery for Thia. Perhaps more romance would've detracted from the message.
Not only was the story enticing and intriguing, but the writing style was exceptional and so real. I actually felt like I was Thia, so definite kudos to Anna for her way with words!
I would definitely recommend this book. It's a breath of fresh air amongst so much YA fiction where female characters tend to lose themselves or transform for the love of a boy. Great read! And now I'm off to add the ingredients for Mrs. Anderson's cookies to my grocery list!
This was a coming of age story, unlike any other. Thia accomplished so much with the help of some unique and quirky characters. Towards the end of the book, I literally gasped out loud twice. I won't say why because I don't want to spoil it, but I was ticked by one incident and extremely saddened by the other.
The only aspect I would've liked to have seen more of in the romance department between Thia and Jacob (I'm a sucker for romance though!). Perhaps there will be a sequel that will explore their relationship more (hint, hint to the author). Even though there wasn't as much romance as I personally would've liked, I understand why there wasn't. This wasn't a story about romance. This was a story about self-discovery for Thia. Perhaps more romance would've detracted from the message.
Not only was the story enticing and intriguing, but the writing style was exceptional and so real. I actually felt like I was Thia, so definite kudos to Anna for her way with words!
I would definitely recommend this book. It's a breath of fresh air amongst so much YA fiction where female characters tend to lose themselves or transform for the love of a boy. Great read! And now I'm off to add the ingredients for Mrs. Anderson's cookies to my grocery list!
January 22, 2014
Easy, feel-good read.
May 1, 2015
The first thing that was obvious about the author of Watermelon Summer is that she is very familiar with living in the mountains of Kentucky where Forsythia went to visit her bio-Dad at Greensun International Community. Forsythia became Thia during her summer adventure where she hoped to meet her father, Glen but that was not meant to be. He has left her many notes to help her learn about how to live at Greensun or as it is known locally 'Hippy Hollow'.
Thia moves from a girl just finished high school to a confident young woman that can make her decisions and stick with them. She meets Jacob, a local young man and they start a relationship based on friendship. Jacob helps Thia on the farm with her project to save Greensun; he helps her gain the support of the neighbors while he contributes and encourages her to learn to be who she really is and grow into a productive member of society. The local color of the residents of the area is a plus, the unique family of Glen's children drawing together to help Thia and the support of her Mom and Dad show how people can pull together for the good of the group and still maintain the integrity of the individual.
Thia moves from a girl just finished high school to a confident young woman that can make her decisions and stick with them. She meets Jacob, a local young man and they start a relationship based on friendship. Jacob helps Thia on the farm with her project to save Greensun; he helps her gain the support of the neighbors while he contributes and encourages her to learn to be who she really is and grow into a productive member of society. The local color of the residents of the area is a plus, the unique family of Glen's children drawing together to help Thia and the support of her Mom and Dad show how people can pull together for the good of the group and still maintain the integrity of the individual.
December 16, 2023
“Watermelon Summer” by Anna Hess is as refreshing and delectable as its title. And the cover art. A great read for all ages—I happen to be in that huge group of readers of YA novels who are over 30, and I loved it. It’s just what you want in such a book: captivating characters, an ever-unfolding plot—not too fast, not too slow. In short, it’s full of fresh, unpredictable storytelling.
Will the protagonist ever meet her “bio-dad”? This reviewer is not about to give anything away, but suffice it to say that there is no easy-sneezy answer to that question. What is easy, is to care about this young woman and the ghosts and dreams she embraces…and care a lot.
Finally, it’s unlikely that any reader will ever say, “I had trouble getting into this novel.” What’s more likely is that readers will reach the last page and say, “Darn it, I just didn’t want it to be over yet.”
As for me, I was hungry for a Pumpkin Autumn…
Will the protagonist ever meet her “bio-dad”? This reviewer is not about to give anything away, but suffice it to say that there is no easy-sneezy answer to that question. What is easy, is to care about this young woman and the ghosts and dreams she embraces…and care a lot.
Finally, it’s unlikely that any reader will ever say, “I had trouble getting into this novel.” What’s more likely is that readers will reach the last page and say, “Darn it, I just didn’t want it to be over yet.”
As for me, I was hungry for a Pumpkin Autumn…
March 24, 2014
I really, really enjoyed Watermelon Summer by Anna Hess. I found myself wanting to hang out with Forsythia and her crazy cast of visitors. I read a lot of young adult novels and Watermelon Summer was a breath of fresh air. It was nice to not be reading about sex, vampires and creepy dystopian worlds. I would love to read more about Forsythia's life and will definitely be reading more books by Anna Hess.
January 9, 2014
I wish someone would have handed me this book in High School. This book seems just right for the disgruntled High School student or College student that is laden with debt. Anna indirectly tells us a bit about her life journey returning to farming and learning to live with hippies and hicks.
March 27, 2014
Dreams
This book is a five star read because it represents a dream...
following Thia on her journey to finding herself, her family, her independence and love. The hippy in all of us just smiles and nods.
This book is a five star read because it represents a dream...
following Thia on her journey to finding herself, her family, her independence and love. The hippy in all of us just smiles and nods.
August 30, 2017
This was a nice story. I loved the setting and thought it was well described. Forsythia was a good main character. I thought the ending could've been better, but maybe there'll be a sequel?
December 27, 2013
I have been a big fan of Anna Hess and her almost “off the grid” lifestyle for a long time. I’ve followed her blog and chatted with her via email for at least a year or more, and I bought (and reviewed) her non-fiction book, The Weekend Homesteader. When I found out she was writing a Young Adult novel, her first venture into fiction, I believe, I was really excited for her, and I’m happy to say, her book, Watermelon Summer, lived up to my expectations. It is a charming coming-of-age sort of tale, involving the eighteen-year-old daughter of a woman who once lived in an “intentional community.” (Now there’s a phrase I had never heard. Turns out, an intentional community is what many of us would call a “hippie commune.”)
Forsythia is a lovely character, determined to find out more about the lifestyle–and hopefully, the bio-father–her mother had left behind all those years ago. She gives up a summer trip to Europe and heads to the Appalachian mountains instead, planning to spend the summer at Greensun, the intentional community she had heard so many stories about. Along the way, she meets the intriguing and very sweet Jacob, whose beautiful blue eyes distract Forsythia at times, but who turns out to be a staunch ally and great working partner. And she discovers that not everyone is who they first appear to be, as evidenced by an enormous betrayal.
The book taught me a lot of things about a lifestyle I was entirely unfamiliar with, and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures and characters Forsythia met along her journey to find her own true path. Anna’s straightforward writing style was perfect for this tale, and I’m going to be looking for more such books from her in the future. A sequel to Anna and Jacob’s story would be nice, too.
On a fun note, there are some drawings and excerpts from Forsythia’s journal included in the back of the book, and they added a very nice touch, indeed. Well done!
If you are looking for a book a bit different from the usual, Watermelon Summer might be just the ticket. And look at that fabulous cover! What could say love and summer better?
Bookin' It
Forsythia is a lovely character, determined to find out more about the lifestyle–and hopefully, the bio-father–her mother had left behind all those years ago. She gives up a summer trip to Europe and heads to the Appalachian mountains instead, planning to spend the summer at Greensun, the intentional community she had heard so many stories about. Along the way, she meets the intriguing and very sweet Jacob, whose beautiful blue eyes distract Forsythia at times, but who turns out to be a staunch ally and great working partner. And she discovers that not everyone is who they first appear to be, as evidenced by an enormous betrayal.
The book taught me a lot of things about a lifestyle I was entirely unfamiliar with, and I thoroughly enjoyed the adventures and characters Forsythia met along her journey to find her own true path. Anna’s straightforward writing style was perfect for this tale, and I’m going to be looking for more such books from her in the future. A sequel to Anna and Jacob’s story would be nice, too.
On a fun note, there are some drawings and excerpts from Forsythia’s journal included in the back of the book, and they added a very nice touch, indeed. Well done!
If you are looking for a book a bit different from the usual, Watermelon Summer might be just the ticket. And look at that fabulous cover! What could say love and summer better?
Bookin' It
February 17, 2014
(Source: Downloaded for free from Amazon.co.uk.)
17-year-old Fosythia wants to spend her summer at a commune in Kentucky, the place where her biological father lives (who she’s never met).
Will this been the meeting that she has always dreamed of? Or will her dreams be squashed?
This was an okay story, but I lost interest pretty early on to be honest.
Forsythia was an okay character, although I did find it bizarre that she donated $2000 to the commune, leaving herself with only $5 to last her the summer! I got that she wanted to meet her father, but donating that much money seemed a little strange.
The storyline in this was okay, but it just didn’t really hold my interest. I got a bit bored fairly early on, and ended up forcing myself to finish this. There were also a few info dumps in there that really bored me. The whole idea of Forsythia getting so wrapped up in a dead commune was just strange.
There was some romance, but that didn’t really interest me either.
The ending was okay, but again, seemed a little bit strange, and I couldn’t quite believe it to be honest.
Overall; okay story, but didn’t really interest me.
5.5 out of 10
17-year-old Fosythia wants to spend her summer at a commune in Kentucky, the place where her biological father lives (who she’s never met).
Will this been the meeting that she has always dreamed of? Or will her dreams be squashed?
This was an okay story, but I lost interest pretty early on to be honest.
Forsythia was an okay character, although I did find it bizarre that she donated $2000 to the commune, leaving herself with only $5 to last her the summer! I got that she wanted to meet her father, but donating that much money seemed a little strange.
The storyline in this was okay, but it just didn’t really hold my interest. I got a bit bored fairly early on, and ended up forcing myself to finish this. There were also a few info dumps in there that really bored me. The whole idea of Forsythia getting so wrapped up in a dead commune was just strange.
There was some romance, but that didn’t really interest me either.
The ending was okay, but again, seemed a little bit strange, and I couldn’t quite believe it to be honest.
Overall; okay story, but didn’t really interest me.
5.5 out of 10
March 26, 2014
When Anna first told me about her book, she cautioned "It's not about you, Daddy." This wasn't Anna's first fiction publication. For as long as I can remember, she's been reading Young Adult fiction--which I figured meant junior high school level. She reads one a day, according to her goodreads posts. I was pleasantly surprised to find Watermelon Summer had a broader appeal, to an age level reaching up to college graduate. She tells a compelling story, one which even old hippies and their generation would enjoy.
April 9, 2015
Whether one has a desire to live an agricultural or even a more "simplified" lifestyle, or if your only interest is in a wonderful story to escape from your day to day routine, you will not be disappointed with this tale.
It has the emotional ups and downs of family relationships and interactions, some culture shock and coming of age drama. Add in clean romance and the unknown tensions of planning one's future and this strong storyline will draw you in.
At the end are included bonus materials even though the story is rewarding enough.
It has the emotional ups and downs of family relationships and interactions, some culture shock and coming of age drama. Add in clean romance and the unknown tensions of planning one's future and this strong storyline will draw you in.
At the end are included bonus materials even though the story is rewarding enough.
March 9, 2014
this a fast, clean, fun read. the idea of a 'hippie hollere' type place sounds intriguing. I wish the story had gone more into the future, but maybe there's a part 2 in the works (or possibly even out already, I'm not sure)
December 13, 2013
My newest book should be live tomorrow. My five-star rating is entirely for the awesome cover designed by Sarah Noce. I hope you love it as much as I do!
December 31, 2014
https://screen.yahoo.com/strawberry-w...
Sweet, quick read. Simple things are sometimes the best.
Sweet, quick read. Simple things are sometimes the best.
March 3, 2015
This was a great book! I couldn't put it down. Once engrossed in the book, I felt like I was there.
September 3, 2016
Short and sweet read, I really enjoyed it!
April 17, 2015
I was taken in by the premise of this book. Our main character, Forsythia, decides to forgo her European dream vacation to instead try to save the old commune that her mother used to be with and where Forsythia was born, and to hopefully meet her real father.
I loved Thia. She started out as this shy girl who is a straight A, valedictorian type girl and she discovers she is more than that. She learns she is strong, independent and will stand up for herself and what she believes in, even if doing so scares her to death. She also learns about her history, her mother's time on the commune, and a little about Glen, her real father.
She meets a variety of different characters on her journey, including Jacob, the boy next door who can't really decide if he wants to stay in his tiny hometown or go to college away from home, "stout" Kat, whom she grew up hearing stories about from her mother, and Arvil, the one person her mother kept in touch with from her days on the commune and an idealist just looking for what everyone is looking for when they come to Greensun.
I really enjoyed the book and Thia's journey. I loved Jacob and I loved Thia's mother. Arvil was wonderful and a great mentor for Thia. I do wish there had been slightly more romance between Thia and Jacob (only because I'm a sucker for that) but I understand why there wasn't. This was Thia's story, not Thia and Jacob's story. He was there to enhance her, not to take over.
If you like coming of age stories with a tiny bit of romance, I would recommend this book. It didn't disappoint me, and I don't think it'll disappoint you, either.
I loved Thia. She started out as this shy girl who is a straight A, valedictorian type girl and she discovers she is more than that. She learns she is strong, independent and will stand up for herself and what she believes in, even if doing so scares her to death. She also learns about her history, her mother's time on the commune, and a little about Glen, her real father.
She meets a variety of different characters on her journey, including Jacob, the boy next door who can't really decide if he wants to stay in his tiny hometown or go to college away from home, "stout" Kat, whom she grew up hearing stories about from her mother, and Arvil, the one person her mother kept in touch with from her days on the commune and an idealist just looking for what everyone is looking for when they come to Greensun.
I really enjoyed the book and Thia's journey. I loved Jacob and I loved Thia's mother. Arvil was wonderful and a great mentor for Thia. I do wish there had been slightly more romance between Thia and Jacob (only because I'm a sucker for that) but I understand why there wasn't. This was Thia's story, not Thia and Jacob's story. He was there to enhance her, not to take over.
If you like coming of age stories with a tiny bit of romance, I would recommend this book. It didn't disappoint me, and I don't think it'll disappoint you, either.
February 24, 2015
Thia lived with the stories of Greesun, a place where her mother used to lived, where she was conceived. She wants to go there to see the beauty herself and maybe meet her bio-dad for the first time on her life. In that place is where she discover more about her bio-dad and her mother's relationship; where she will meet new people that will help her grow up.
This is such a short and quick read. The writing is so simple to follow. The story line is really easy to pick up. This a like a story your grandmother could tell you about her days as a teen. That's the thing about this book, it just a nice story to tell, there's not much going on. I did enjoyed it reading it, but I wasn't for me. 2.5 Stars
This is such a short and quick read. The writing is so simple to follow. The story line is really easy to pick up. This a like a story your grandmother could tell you about her days as a teen. That's the thing about this book, it just a nice story to tell, there's not much going on. I did enjoyed it reading it, but I wasn't for me. 2.5 Stars
February 15, 2016
This novel was a great read. I had never read a novel about an intentional community. The author's use of first person perspective from the point of view of a teen made the novel interesting and the characters real. Who would expect a teenager from the city to fall in love with hard work and farming? I recommend this to all readers but especially teens looking for a good story that's not a sappy romance or dystopian novel.
July 18, 2015
I enjoyed this book. Easy to read and had me turning pages to find out what happens next. Didn't expect Kat to turn out to be the villain. Having read, "Growing Into a Farm: Before the Walden Effect," I could see some of the author's own experiences in the this fiction work, so it felt really authentic.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 23, 2015
Not really bad, not good either. Probably should be 2.5 stars. I tend to rate books as 3 stars, which to me means "It was okay." I didn't feel like it was a waste of my time, but I wouldn't necessarily recommend the book to others.
August 2, 2014
It was too kid friendly
April 24, 2015
Maybe slightly lower, not really my cup of tea but it was a super quick read :)
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews