The First Summer of Callie Mcgee

by A.L. Tait

'The water in a rip current is always calmer than the waves on either side. Once in it, you’re best just to go with the flow.' It’s the last summer before Callie starts high school and she’s been dragged along to yet another ‘family friends’ holiday. Determined to change her nerdy reputation, Callie sets out to make waves―but nothing is quite as she expects. Her usual ally, Sasha, has outgrown Callie; her nemesis, Mitch, has brought his cousin Owen along; and the boring south coast town of Sawyer’s Point has been rocked by a series of burglaries. Callie, Owen and Mitch decide to investigate the robberies, bringing them face to face with a local gang ... and a possible ghost. But when Sasha goes missing, Callie must draw on all her smarts to find her friend, and discovers that being Callie McGee has its benefits. A middle-grade mystery about growing up, figuring things out, and solving the puzzle of who you are.

Genres: Childrens

208 pages, Paperback

Published August 1, 2023

About the author

Allison Tait

Reviews

[Emily V · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think that this book was really good and had a good storyline. It was about a girl who didn't like her name and wanted to change it to Callie. It is set in the summer holidays right before she starts at a new high school in year 7. She doesn't want people to know her real name and she wants to be cool.

[Clare · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for Readers Cup. 4.5 stars
Contemporary Australian
Perfect for younger middle grades.
Believable characters and situations. Spot on beach holiday mystery.

[Emily Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book Review:
The First Summer of Callie McGee by A L Tait.
☀️ A summery, beach story about a group of families who set off each holidays to spend time together as friends at their regular ‘beach house’… The parents that is! Whereas, the children get dragged along and have to ‘hang out’ with the children attached to these adults. What could go wrong?
☀️Callie is an only child, a 12 year old quiet, intelligent, astute reader, who likes quiet time and her own space. The other children vary in age from youngsters to the one and only 14 year old Sasha, who thinks she can teach Callie a few things about being a teenager and being cool before she hits high school.
☀️ Added to the mix of children is a newcomer - Owen; cousin of Mitch (who hates Callie), but Owen has similar likes to Callie AND he is nice.
☀️Callie is looking to step out of her nerdy facade.
☀️The necessary peer roles and rules are secondary to the mystery of a string of thefts in the quiet seaside village AND
☀️ Sasha’s desperate need to be noticed by a group of local older teens. This is a recipe for disaster!
☀️ Callie, Owen & Mitch set off to catch the thief/ves in the middle of the night.
☀️Sasha gets caught up in a dangerous dare to fit in and can’t bare to back down!
☀️Can Callie step up and become more confident, cool and sassy like Sasha?
☀️Will the adults stop seeing Callie as the quiet, nerdy, follow-all-the-rules’ LITTLE girl and start to see her as a soon to be teen?
☀️Who is breaking into all the houses in this seaside village?
☀️ This story has some wonderful twists and turns that young readers will absolutely grab hold on to and ride the waves of adventure and mystery all the way back to shore.
☀️I loved the story. Highly recommend to 8-12 year old readers. Allison has managed to write about cool, dangerous, teen antics without overdramatising or being too mature for a younger audience.
☀️ An excellent gift for any child who loves to escape to the beach with a good book full of mystery, intrigue, laughter and friends.
☀️Girlfriends, don’t forget to pack your lipgloss!
☀️ Boys, put your brave pants on, and look out! ‘Cos here comes Callie to show you she has what it takes!

[Dianne Wolfer]

I loved this joyful slice of Aussie summer. The quirky beach house, too-cool teens, daggy parents and annoying siblings, they’re all there in this fun mystery adventure. Even the house, ‘In the Rip’ is a wonderful character, like all good beach shacks. I’m hoping there will be a second summer of Callie McGee…

[Melanie Hunter · Rating 5 out of 5]

The First Summer of Callie McGee
By A.L. Tait

Are you looking for a great summer read?

The First Summer of Callie McGee is filled with family friends and a beautiful beach holiday. What could be better? Or what could be worse, in Callie's mind. The other kids think she is a nerd and don't have a lot in common with her.

What would have been a boring holiday turns into something else entirely as Callie gets to know Sasha and Mitch brings his cousin, Owen along who also appreciates a good book.

The story is well paced and had me hooked. I was flicking through the pages faster than a kid jumps into a pool in summer. The mystery of the small town robberies kept Callie, Mitch and Owen busy on their trip, as did the beautiful weather and nature to explore at Sawyer’s Point. The setting is perfect and will have readers relaxing and feeling like they are on a beach holiday. The house they rent out is described in such a way that it truly feels like a holiday home to return to time and time again.

This is the first of A.L.Tait's books that I have read, and I loved it. Her characterisation makes it such an intriguing read, especially since we see each and every young person develop and mature throughout the story. I love that Callie considers the impact of a nickname and how it can help to create an identity. Her relationship with Owen is sweet. He is one of my favourite characters, considering everything he has experienced, his maturity and kindness. Sasha and Callie learn a lot from one another and we meet a gang of locals who are not what they seem.

The First Summer of Callie McGee is a five star read for me and a must read this summer! Callue learns more about who she is and is a great protagonist for any young person to read about. Upper primary and grade 7s will love this one! I can see it becoming a series and look forward to reading the next installment. A.L.Tait's writing has been inspirational as I am learning about writing Middle Grade novels.

@scholastic_au
#middlegrade #Altait #thefirstsummerofcalliemcgee #bookreview #bookreviewer #summerreads #melaniehunterbooks

[thuy · Rating 2 out of 5]

i had to read this twice to finish this, the first time it ended as a DNF (did not finish) and the this time, before i went on the plane, i made myself read it, wanted to get over it tbh, but it actually got really good and i ended up liking it. but i didn’t like it to the point i’m making a novella for a ship i like, loved callie, mitch.. eh i can see him and callie as an enemies to lovers but not REALLY. sasha just gave pick me tbh, willing to do anything to be “popular”. I KNOW I KNOW, the author of this book probs aimed more of owen and callie, but they just didn’t stand out to me! but yeah

[TJ Edwards · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely contemporary mystery for middle grade readers! For young folks who enjoy your Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys or even Babysitters Club, this is an easy read and you’ll love Callie’s growth throughout. From Calliope-Jean to CJ, finding out who she will become is only one of the many mysteries for her to solve!

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was delightful! A wonderful middle grade coming-of-age mystery, where Callie McGee is discovering exactly what type of person she wants to be. Friendships are made and unmade and made again, and my kids laughed out loud at the antics of the kids in the story. Funny, character-driven and super enjoyable; a great beach read!

[Rebekah · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great book for 10-12 year old girls struggling to find their place in the world. Such a strange age of emotions and feelings! Add in a bit of mystery and drama and it turns into a fun read.

[Linda Billington-Smythe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kinda boring at points, loved Sasha though. Wish we saw more interesting parts at the end, but overall an ok. read for kids in year 3-4

[Celina Marscham · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great Y/A read.All the teenage woes of trying to fit in be cool and also finding yourself.Testing your limits and accepting yourself

[Kate Drew · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved reading this Young Adult book about a girl named Callie and how she grows up through out the summer can't read to more books by Twitter friend from long ago

[Lisa Heidke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thoroughly enjoyed A.L. Tait's new release, The First Summer Of Callie McGee! It’s the last summer before almost 13 yr old, Calliope-Jean starts high school and she wants to shed her nerdy reputation, starting with her name. Set on the NSW coast not too far from my home, Callie, her family and their family friends begin their traditional vacation and immediately Callie is inspired to investigate a spate of local robberies. It’s a rollicking adventure with ghosts, gangs and kittens! Sure, not my typical read but if you know any middle-grade kids, this is the perfect book to kick off their spring/summer vacation. Highly recommended.

[Perla Raiter · Rating 3 out of 5]

Captivating and amazing. My friend read it with me and we both agreed that this is awesome.