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Bingo Summer
On her thirteenth birthday, Summer Haas scratches the lottery ticket her mom tucked into her birthday card and the down-on-their-luck family become instant millionaires. Then the attention gets crazy in their small Illinois town, and the family moves north to ‘disappear’ in the Chicago suburbs. Summer’s new home might as well be on the Moon, it’s so different from where she used to live.
Suddenly, Summer is a candidate for student council, trades her t-shirt and jeans for mall-brand clothes, and throws a party for her entire grade even though she didn't invite a single guest. Everyone wants Summer to be someone other than herself, including the super-popular Suri who Summer hopes will be her new best friend. There’s Mara who wants Summer to forget about competing with her for third base when softball season comes. And Summer just wants to avoid Dink and Anna even though she has more in common with them than she wants to admit.
But when Mara discovers how Summer’s family made their millions, and threatens to tell the whole school, Summer needs a friend more than ever. Can Summer fit in AND stay true to herself?
Suddenly, Summer is a candidate for student council, trades her t-shirt and jeans for mall-brand clothes, and throws a party for her entire grade even though she didn't invite a single guest. Everyone wants Summer to be someone other than herself, including the super-popular Suri who Summer hopes will be her new best friend. There’s Mara who wants Summer to forget about competing with her for third base when softball season comes. And Summer just wants to avoid Dink and Anna even though she has more in common with them than she wants to admit.
But when Mara discovers how Summer’s family made their millions, and threatens to tell the whole school, Summer needs a friend more than ever. Can Summer fit in AND stay true to herself?
276 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2014
20 people are currently reading
442 people want to read
About the author
Dawn Malone
3 books52 followersDawn Malone worked as a newspaper reporter before publishing middle grade novels. Her stories have been published in Highlights for Children, Pockets, as well as other children’s magazines, and she’s a contributor to Chicken Soup for the Soul Think Positive for Kids. She also writes sweet romance novels for adults as D.E. Malone. She lives in central Illinois.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 27, 2014
This was such a great book! It was equal parts fun and realistic, and the characters felt real enough that they could be kids I've actually met.
I liked Summer. She was surrounded by pretentious people, but was refreshingly down-to-earth. However, in realistic teen fashion, she did experiment with new clothes and hanging out with the popular crowd, even if it wasn't right for her. I feel like most teens/tweens go through stages of figuring out, "Do I belong here?" And Summer's experience was spot on.
I also really liked Anna and Dink. Anna is someone I would have liked to be friends with at that age, and Dink was funny and charming in a quirky way. All in all, I liked the characters that Summer herself liked and disliked the ones she disliked, so I felt very connected to her.
Dawn Malone also has a wonderful way with descriptions and comparisons that really makes you feel like you're right there in the scene. I really enjoyed escaping to the world of upper-class suburbia. Highly recommended!
I liked Summer. She was surrounded by pretentious people, but was refreshingly down-to-earth. However, in realistic teen fashion, she did experiment with new clothes and hanging out with the popular crowd, even if it wasn't right for her. I feel like most teens/tweens go through stages of figuring out, "Do I belong here?" And Summer's experience was spot on.
I also really liked Anna and Dink. Anna is someone I would have liked to be friends with at that age, and Dink was funny and charming in a quirky way. All in all, I liked the characters that Summer herself liked and disliked the ones she disliked, so I felt very connected to her.
Dawn Malone also has a wonderful way with descriptions and comparisons that really makes you feel like you're right there in the scene. I really enjoyed escaping to the world of upper-class suburbia. Highly recommended!
September 12, 2014
Bingo Summer is about the happenings of a Mom and her two girls once they hit the lottery on a Bingo scratch off card. It tells the problems that the mother runs into with the publicity and then moves to another town to escape it. The story picks up with the hardships of adjusting to a new school for Summer, the older of the sisters. No matter how hard she tries, Summer just doesn't fit in until she returns to the person she really is. Meeting Anna and Dink changes her world in her new surroundings.I enjoyed reading Bingo Summer and I think this book would be appealing to most 4-6 graders,
This is a book that would be great to use with a reading group or Book Club in fourth or firth grade. I think winning the lottery would spike the interest of both boys and girls. I think initially girls would be more interested, but as Dink really becomes a major character in the book. His love for the Cubs and knowledge of baseball would grab the interest of boys. The Literary Circle questions at the end are great.
This is a book that would be great to use with a reading group or Book Club in fourth or firth grade. I think winning the lottery would spike the interest of both boys and girls. I think initially girls would be more interested, but as Dink really becomes a major character in the book. His love for the Cubs and knowledge of baseball would grab the interest of boys. The Literary Circle questions at the end are great.
September 15, 2014
Great book with a great story and a good moral, it shows how all teens, weather poor or rich still strugle with friends, and things they want to do versus what a friends wants to do, I think most girls and boys will enjoy this story in middle school. The cover looks to be targeted more to girls, but if a boy picks it up I do think he will like it as what tween would not dream of hitting the loto? I really enjoyed this book and recommend it for book clubs or any tween.
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April 29, 2021DNF at 30%. Just couldn’t get into the story.
August 23, 2014
~3.5 Stars~
~This book was won from a Goodreads giveaway~
This book was very entertaining, rarely boring, had a pleasant writing style, and had characters different enough from each other that you could tell them apart. Overall, it was a good book. So why only 3.5 stars?
The only problem with this book that I really had was the fact that it seemed sort of generic. This is a children's/middle grade book, so I do expect some simplicity. I keep in mind what age range a book is for when I'm rating it. But... there's a difference between simplicity and 'nothing really new.' And this book did lean more on the 'nothing really new' side of things.
But other than that, the book was very entertaining. I was never bored when I picked it up to read a chapter or two. I thought the struggles of fitting in to a new place and trying to be what other people want you to be were portrayed very well. As well as this, the writing style fit with the mood of the book - it was light, entertaining, and didn't have any moments that jarred me out of the story.
The characters were another good part of the book - we follow Summer, a girl who goes from rags to riches when she wins the lottery. Ten million dollars. Summer was a good main character, especially for a book like this. She wasn't shown as someone who could always stand her ground and stay true to herself, but she did realize what she was doing and managed to find herself again. I liked that about her.
Another character that I thought was done very well was Summer's mother, especially due to the fact that she actually had a personality, unlike a lot of parents in books. She was shown as impulsive, but true to herself. Her flaws and good points were balanced very well.
The rest of the characters were done in much of the same way - they were balanced well, and I, as the reader, could tell that a lot of work was gone into them.
The plot was fine. The pacing was good. Overall, it was a good book that I did enjoy.
~This book was won from a Goodreads giveaway~
This book was very entertaining, rarely boring, had a pleasant writing style, and had characters different enough from each other that you could tell them apart. Overall, it was a good book. So why only 3.5 stars?
The only problem with this book that I really had was the fact that it seemed sort of generic. This is a children's/middle grade book, so I do expect some simplicity. I keep in mind what age range a book is for when I'm rating it. But... there's a difference between simplicity and 'nothing really new.' And this book did lean more on the 'nothing really new' side of things.
But other than that, the book was very entertaining. I was never bored when I picked it up to read a chapter or two. I thought the struggles of fitting in to a new place and trying to be what other people want you to be were portrayed very well. As well as this, the writing style fit with the mood of the book - it was light, entertaining, and didn't have any moments that jarred me out of the story.
The characters were another good part of the book - we follow Summer, a girl who goes from rags to riches when she wins the lottery. Ten million dollars. Summer was a good main character, especially for a book like this. She wasn't shown as someone who could always stand her ground and stay true to herself, but she did realize what she was doing and managed to find herself again. I liked that about her.
Another character that I thought was done very well was Summer's mother, especially due to the fact that she actually had a personality, unlike a lot of parents in books. She was shown as impulsive, but true to herself. Her flaws and good points were balanced very well.
The rest of the characters were done in much of the same way - they were balanced well, and I, as the reader, could tell that a lot of work was gone into them.
The plot was fine. The pacing was good. Overall, it was a good book that I did enjoy.
October 15, 2014
This story was filled with many lessons for a young teen to learn. A mother with her two young daughters are in the throes of poverty, are celebrating Summer's birthday (the oldest child) as they usually do at $10 lotto ticket. As Summer finishes scratching the ticket she is hoping to at least win the $10 back so they can buy milk, instead she wins the big time prize 10 million dollars. In that instant everything changes. Friends and members come calling for handouts. To much for mom to handle they move away and settle in a little town that people have more money than they know what to do. Forced to make new friends and start a new life Summer is having trouble adjusting she wishes she can be at her old school, with old friends. She soon makes friends, but discovers that they are not what they seem. In the end she discovers that she must be true self, and never forget where she comes from. She ends up making a few new good friends and keeping her best friend Dana as well not to mention Dink .
This is a cute read for a young teen. It really has valid points in regards to adjusting to something big as winning the lottery.
This is a cute read for a young teen. It really has valid points in regards to adjusting to something big as winning the lottery.
November 7, 2014
Bingo Summer was a very nice read. It started out strong and stayed good throughout. Dawn Malone introduced a varied cast of entertaining characters. She did a nice job adding a few unexpected twists to the junior high classmates-- the mean girls had redeeming qualities, the weirdo stepdad wasn't a total jerk, her flighty mom really loved her daughters. Summer won 10 million dollars on her 13th birthday. After getting over the initial shock of winning, the family is overwhelmed with attention they'd rather not have.
So Mom decides to flee to a "new" life where people don't know what happened. Summer tries to adjust, but trouble is-- except for being dirt poor--she really liked her old life: her friends. her softball team, her coach, and her Chicago Cubs. She doesn't fit in her new school and hates being the new girl. Bingo Summer is an excellent depiction of one girl's journey to discovering and accepting herself and being open to new experiences and new people. This is a book I would (and have) recommended to others.
So Mom decides to flee to a "new" life where people don't know what happened. Summer tries to adjust, but trouble is-- except for being dirt poor--she really liked her old life: her friends. her softball team, her coach, and her Chicago Cubs. She doesn't fit in her new school and hates being the new girl. Bingo Summer is an excellent depiction of one girl's journey to discovering and accepting herself and being open to new experiences and new people. This is a book I would (and have) recommended to others.
September 26, 2014
When I first saw the concept for Bingo Summer, my immediate thought was that it sounded cute but would probably be on the cheesy side of entertaining. A lottery winning kid just screams of simple lighthearted fun, right? Oh goodness gracious was I ever wrong! I can not put into words how delighted I was with Bingo Summer in comparison to what I expected.
Without offering up any spoilers, I will say that Bingo Summer is so much more. The writer visits many issues that kids deal with: parents, siblings, step-parents, fitting in, friends, finances, bullying and more. Yet the entire time, the story remains entertaining without becoming depressing or painful. We are right there with Summer as she grows and her life changes.
As an adult, I would recommend this for tweens, teens and adults. There is something here for all of us to enjoy and learn from. Kudos to Dawn Malone for a beautiful story.
Without offering up any spoilers, I will say that Bingo Summer is so much more. The writer visits many issues that kids deal with: parents, siblings, step-parents, fitting in, friends, finances, bullying and more. Yet the entire time, the story remains entertaining without becoming depressing or painful. We are right there with Summer as she grows and her life changes.
As an adult, I would recommend this for tweens, teens and adults. There is something here for all of us to enjoy and learn from. Kudos to Dawn Malone for a beautiful story.
October 3, 2014
A lucky lottery ticket for Summer Haas’s 13th birthday suddenly makes her family instant millionaires but the change in lifestyle is unsettling. While it’s nice to live in a big house in a new town where no one knows them that her mother impulsively buys in the Chicago suburbs, Summer still has to adjust to making new friends and starting a new school. It’s not that she’s ashamed of why she no longer has to shop at thrift stores for clothes, but she’s not sure if she wants her new friends to know. And some of the new girls, especially Mara who plays the same position for softball, act more like frenemies than friends. Does hiding the source of her newfound wealth also mean Summer can’t be herself anymore?
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2011/06/t...
http://www.pragmaticmom.com/2011/06/t...
March 28, 2016
Not a perfect novel, but deserving of all five stars. Malone creates a likeable character stuck in a crazy new situation. Suspend disbelief long enough to get past the inciting event (only a few paragraphs) and readers are swept up into Summer's dilemma. I loved the setting and every one of the secondary characters. The main character's voice shines off the page from the very first sentence. Can't wait to read more from this author.
June 18, 2014
I love the idea for Bingo Summer--and it caught hold of me from the first page. The voice is terrific, and the storyline includes middle-grade issues as well as dealing with family and siblings. I think girls especially would really get into this book. It just goes to show that all problems are not solved just because we win the lottery!
July 5, 2014
I won this book as a first reads giveaway I recommend it for readers of all ages it was a page turner from start to finish with its theme of remaining true to yourself. the characters come to life in this book.....I cant say enough about this book.It will keep you entertained and bring home the what if this happened to me? what would I do?
July 14, 2014
I would never have thought to read a book recommended for a 9-12 year old age range, but I am so glad I did. I am much older than this age range (by 35 years or so) and enjoyed this book from beginning to end. I found I couldn't put the book down all weekend until I knew how it ended. I am adding this author to my "must read" list!
August 22, 2014
When Summer wins the lottery, she doesn't know who her true friends are. I was drawn into Summers journey from the first page. Just as I thought I had the ending figured out, the author pulls a surprise punch. I didn't put the book down until I finished it. Very enjoyable!
September 11, 2020
A very fun book, that starts out with a multi-million dollar winning lottery ticket in Summer’s birthday card. Like the Clampetts, her family picks up and moves, not to Beverly Hills, but to a Chicago suburb. We follow her family through the next year. The problems are suitable for an 8th grader, and we like everyone in the family. I worried that a lot of things would happen to the family, that happen to many lottery winners (they burn through their money, hangers on make life miserable, they all become materialistic snobs, step-dad steals from them) but none of those things happen. This is a satisfying, quick read.
May 7, 2019
The life of a teenager
I’d like to suffer with the lottery winnings Summer had to deal with. I’ve done my share of moving, while I was in service, but the new location was populated “similar” people. She did find her footing, finally. I’ve got to talk with my kids about the impact of moving.
Good luck Summer!
I’d like to suffer with the lottery winnings Summer had to deal with. I’ve done my share of moving, while I was in service, but the new location was populated “similar” people. She did find her footing, finally. I’ve got to talk with my kids about the impact of moving.
Good luck Summer!
July 15, 2017
Enjoyable Middle Grade read. I liked the main character and the problems seemed fairly real for any child who has to move as a teenager. Just a hint of romance for this 13 year old girl, which seemed realistic.
August 8, 2016
First time author Dawn Malone has crafted a winner in Bingo Summer. Charming, sweet, and artfully written, it takes top honors in my summer reading list. It's just a superb example of middle grade lit. I loved it!
Okay, the initial catalyst for the plot is pretty unlikely. (Summer wins ten million dollars with a lottery ticket.) But the emotions the story conjures up once it gets rolling are absolutely universal. Forced to move across the state by her impetuous mother, Summer starts eighth grade in a new school where kids dress differently and act differently than she is accustomed to. She soon finds herself changing to become like everyone else and not liking the way it makes her feel. Her new friends aren’t friendly. Her dirt-poor past is an embarrassment she tries to hide. She’d give the money back if only she could go home! Rich or not, Summer’s emotional journey is an altogether human response that every single kid out there can identify with.
Now for my favorite part. Drop dead gorgeous writing. Let me show off some of the ingenious images Ms. Malone creates for us…
“…her pout stuck out far enough that I could have pegged her lower lip with my pea-shooter if I had it on me.”
“I followed her into the dining room with a table long enough for a plane to land on.”
“Snow had erased the horizon. Sky and landscape blended together in one solid, white wall. The woods across the road looked like tree-shaped ghosts, draped in snowy sheets.”
“Once I started talking, I couldn’t stop. It all spilled out, at first a little drip-drop of information as she looked over the pictures and articles. Then the words ran together, widening like a fast-moving stream, tumbling over a mountain waterfall, and they wouldn’t quit until I ran dry of every last detail.”
“My throat closed up when he reached for my hair, so any words I had were stuck somewhere between my collar bone and the back of my tongue.”
Doesn’t this remind you of the quality you find in an ALA notable book? Too bad the ALA doesn’t consider self-pubs or this one could sweep their awards! As it is, I’ve decided to honor it with the first Squeaky Award I’ve given out on my blog in quite some time. I highly recommend you grab this one up today for your 4th-8th grade reader. (It’s only 99 cents. How many traditional presses price like that?!) Two thumbs way up.
Okay, the initial catalyst for the plot is pretty unlikely. (Summer wins ten million dollars with a lottery ticket.) But the emotions the story conjures up once it gets rolling are absolutely universal. Forced to move across the state by her impetuous mother, Summer starts eighth grade in a new school where kids dress differently and act differently than she is accustomed to. She soon finds herself changing to become like everyone else and not liking the way it makes her feel. Her new friends aren’t friendly. Her dirt-poor past is an embarrassment she tries to hide. She’d give the money back if only she could go home! Rich or not, Summer’s emotional journey is an altogether human response that every single kid out there can identify with.
Now for my favorite part. Drop dead gorgeous writing. Let me show off some of the ingenious images Ms. Malone creates for us…
“…her pout stuck out far enough that I could have pegged her lower lip with my pea-shooter if I had it on me.”
“I followed her into the dining room with a table long enough for a plane to land on.”
“Snow had erased the horizon. Sky and landscape blended together in one solid, white wall. The woods across the road looked like tree-shaped ghosts, draped in snowy sheets.”
“Once I started talking, I couldn’t stop. It all spilled out, at first a little drip-drop of information as she looked over the pictures and articles. Then the words ran together, widening like a fast-moving stream, tumbling over a mountain waterfall, and they wouldn’t quit until I ran dry of every last detail.”
“My throat closed up when he reached for my hair, so any words I had were stuck somewhere between my collar bone and the back of my tongue.”
Doesn’t this remind you of the quality you find in an ALA notable book? Too bad the ALA doesn’t consider self-pubs or this one could sweep their awards! As it is, I’ve decided to honor it with the first Squeaky Award I’ve given out on my blog in quite some time. I highly recommend you grab this one up today for your 4th-8th grade reader. (It’s only 99 cents. How many traditional presses price like that?!) Two thumbs way up.
September 29, 2014
This was a cute if somewhat formulaic middle grade read. Summer's life changes instantly when she wins $10 million on a scratch off ticket on her birthday. So much so that her mom packs up Summer and her sister and moves them to the town of Dorrance. Summer has trouble fitting in with the ritzy lifestyle the girls in the town seem to lead, and as a result has trouble making friends. She's about to learn that having money doesn't solve all your problems, but can she convince her family of that?
The biggest problem in this book is the one I found so unbelievable. Summer really does not want anyone in her new town to know she won her money on a scratch off. I am not sure why this would be that big of a deal, but maybe it's because I am an adult. Summer thinks the people of her town knowing she used to be poor would be the peak of embarrassment. Eventually, the truth does come out and Summer learns she was mostly worried for nothing.
While Summer does seem to have problems connecting with the girls in her new school, I don't think she was trying her best at times either. She's unnecessarily mean to Dink, and sometimes even when others are trying to strike up a conversation with her, she is standoffish.
At the heart of the book this is a family story, and it was simultaneously cringe inducing and heart warming to see Summer and her mom adapt to life in such a different society. People may laugh at what Summer's mom is trying to do, but her two daughters are proud of her and that's really all she needs.
There were a couple of unanswered questions (what was the deal with Frank?), but the story wraps up sweetly and gives you hope that Summer has learned a lot and will be OK wherever life takes her.
The biggest problem in this book is the one I found so unbelievable. Summer really does not want anyone in her new town to know she won her money on a scratch off. I am not sure why this would be that big of a deal, but maybe it's because I am an adult. Summer thinks the people of her town knowing she used to be poor would be the peak of embarrassment. Eventually, the truth does come out and Summer learns she was mostly worried for nothing.
While Summer does seem to have problems connecting with the girls in her new school, I don't think she was trying her best at times either. She's unnecessarily mean to Dink, and sometimes even when others are trying to strike up a conversation with her, she is standoffish.
At the heart of the book this is a family story, and it was simultaneously cringe inducing and heart warming to see Summer and her mom adapt to life in such a different society. People may laugh at what Summer's mom is trying to do, but her two daughters are proud of her and that's really all she needs.
There were a couple of unanswered questions (what was the deal with Frank?), but the story wraps up sweetly and gives you hope that Summer has learned a lot and will be OK wherever life takes her.
October 14, 2014
When I was between the ages of 8 and 13 years old, I would spend quiet hours roaming the aisles of our local library. I would gather many hardcover books, which crinkled when they were opened, that they would stack perilously in my arms. I had many favorites that I found just by browsing, and, when I began reading Bingo Summer, I was transported to those moments where I would discover a wonderful new book. From the first chapter, Malone has the reader hooked. Her casual tone describing the moment when Summer scratches off the winning ticket brought the reader right into their hot kitchen to follow her family along on this adventure.
"Announcing our luck in front of Mrs. Hennessey was our first mistake."
Of course, the winning lottery ticket changed Summer's life, as they found neighbors and friends who all needed a helping hand. Summer moves from Stanton to Dorrance, but she's not quite sure how this transition is going to be for her with new friends. Malone writes with thoughtful detail, and I loved the description of Summer's sister, J.C., circling everything she wants in catalogs with gel pens. The reader follows Summer as she makes this transition to a new home, new place in life, and new school. It's a journey for Summer as she tries to find friends, keep them, and stay true to who she knew back in Stanton. Teachers and parents could use this in the classroom or at home to discuss making friends, finances, and growing up. In fact, this would be a really fun story for students to discuss and work on creative writing, too. I'd highly recommend this for any reader; it's descriptive, well-written, and relatable (well, the life journey - maybe not the million dollar lottery ticket :)!
"Announcing our luck in front of Mrs. Hennessey was our first mistake."
Of course, the winning lottery ticket changed Summer's life, as they found neighbors and friends who all needed a helping hand. Summer moves from Stanton to Dorrance, but she's not quite sure how this transition is going to be for her with new friends. Malone writes with thoughtful detail, and I loved the description of Summer's sister, J.C., circling everything she wants in catalogs with gel pens. The reader follows Summer as she makes this transition to a new home, new place in life, and new school. It's a journey for Summer as she tries to find friends, keep them, and stay true to who she knew back in Stanton. Teachers and parents could use this in the classroom or at home to discuss making friends, finances, and growing up. In fact, this would be a really fun story for students to discuss and work on creative writing, too. I'd highly recommend this for any reader; it's descriptive, well-written, and relatable (well, the life journey - maybe not the million dollar lottery ticket :)!
October 11, 2014
HoaP would like to thank the author for providing Heart of a Philanthropist with an e-copy of Bingo Summer to review. This review was first seen on Heart of a Philanthropist's Blog.
It's Summer's birthday in the sweltering heat of the south. Her mom is making her a birthday cake with what little food they do have in the house while they wait for someone to bring them groceries from a church pantry. Summer is scratching off her annual birthday lottery ticket. She wins!
Instantly the family is bombarded with strangers who come out of the woodwork to get a piece of their prize. The family moves to get away from people who know they have the money after making a few donations, and end up in Dorrance- a small upscale town with less than 20,000 residents. Summer has to start middle school almost immediately and finds out the first week of school that her nice neighbor is actually her principal.
Summer meets Suri who quickly becomes her best friend in her new town. Suri introduces her around school and even gets her to run for Vice President.
Although there is some story line for her sister and her mom (and even her step dad) Bingo Summer is mostly about the early teen girl Summer. There are cute phrases in the book. I really like the slogan Summer comes up with to run for VP. There is love (between friends) and loss, and learning what a true friend is.
I really enjoyed this book and believe any girl between 11-13 will like it too.
HoaP received an e-copy of Bingo Summer in exchange for an honest review. If you would like HoaP to review a book or product for you, please contact us at philanthropicHR@yahoo.com. Thank you for your support and God Bless!
It's Summer's birthday in the sweltering heat of the south. Her mom is making her a birthday cake with what little food they do have in the house while they wait for someone to bring them groceries from a church pantry. Summer is scratching off her annual birthday lottery ticket. She wins!
Instantly the family is bombarded with strangers who come out of the woodwork to get a piece of their prize. The family moves to get away from people who know they have the money after making a few donations, and end up in Dorrance- a small upscale town with less than 20,000 residents. Summer has to start middle school almost immediately and finds out the first week of school that her nice neighbor is actually her principal.
Summer meets Suri who quickly becomes her best friend in her new town. Suri introduces her around school and even gets her to run for Vice President.
Although there is some story line for her sister and her mom (and even her step dad) Bingo Summer is mostly about the early teen girl Summer. There are cute phrases in the book. I really like the slogan Summer comes up with to run for VP. There is love (between friends) and loss, and learning what a true friend is.
I really enjoyed this book and believe any girl between 11-13 will like it too.
HoaP received an e-copy of Bingo Summer in exchange for an honest review. If you would like HoaP to review a book or product for you, please contact us at philanthropicHR@yahoo.com. Thank you for your support and God Bless!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 13, 2014
Bingo Summer is a coming of age story of self discovery and acceptance as well as one that reminds readers the importance of being true to yourself.
Summer's family has fallen on hard times so when she receives a lottery ticket for her thirteenth birthday she hopes to win back the $10 her mom spent on the ticket. As Summer checks the ways to winner she realizes she is holding a ticket worth $10 million. A dream come true! Or is it? News travels fast in a small town and soon everyone wants something. Summer's mom decides the only way to regain a normal life is to move to a place where no one knows their secret.
Summer misses her old school and her best friend. Desperate to fit in with the kids at her new school Summer tries to please others by being something she's not. The lottery winnings contribute to her image change, but somewhere along the way Summer loses her true self. Now, on the brink of disaster can Summer learn from her experience and rediscover the person she once was?
I found Bingo Summer to be well written and identifiable. Lottery winnings aside, young readers will be able to relate with Summer's struggles. At one time or another all of us have lost our way and possibly been untrue to ourselves. Summer shows us, it's never too late to rediscover who we really are. Bingo Summer is an enjoyable read, perfect for any tween.
I recommend grabbing a copy.
Summer's family has fallen on hard times so when she receives a lottery ticket for her thirteenth birthday she hopes to win back the $10 her mom spent on the ticket. As Summer checks the ways to winner she realizes she is holding a ticket worth $10 million. A dream come true! Or is it? News travels fast in a small town and soon everyone wants something. Summer's mom decides the only way to regain a normal life is to move to a place where no one knows their secret.
Summer misses her old school and her best friend. Desperate to fit in with the kids at her new school Summer tries to please others by being something she's not. The lottery winnings contribute to her image change, but somewhere along the way Summer loses her true self. Now, on the brink of disaster can Summer learn from her experience and rediscover the person she once was?
I found Bingo Summer to be well written and identifiable. Lottery winnings aside, young readers will be able to relate with Summer's struggles. At one time or another all of us have lost our way and possibly been untrue to ourselves. Summer shows us, it's never too late to rediscover who we really are. Bingo Summer is an enjoyable read, perfect for any tween.
I recommend grabbing a copy.
August 2, 2015
When I first saw this advertised I thought I have to review this for my niece going into middle school this year she will love it. She will, but this book is so much more than what I thought it would be, it is a great book! The characters are so believable, at times I felt like I was there and wanted to pull Summer aside to give her some of the advice she seemed to so desperately want. I felt so bad for her, the story starts out on her 13th birthday and it is Summer, her sister J.C. and their mother Maggie. Even though they have nothing, Summer's mom is making her birthday cake out of ingredients you can not eat by themselves, they seem very happy to just have each other. Than they win the money and not everyone is happy anymore. You would think money would solve all their problems, but in their case it seems to start them, and it gets worse when they move to a new town. Now Summer needs to find new friends in a new school, and even start over proving herself to a new softball coach. Even though some things get better for the family toward the end there are still other problems left to be seen, so I am not sure if there are plans for a second book, but it sure would be nice to see how things are going for this little family in a year or so, so how about Summer High (School)?
October 14, 2014
This is an entertainingly light "from rags to riches" story!
As was Summer's family tradition, she was enjoying her thirteenth birthday, scratching off the chosen numbers on a lottery card. This had been a very unusual tradition for as long as she could remember. On each birthday, the person receives a lottery ticket in a birthday card to try to win a lottery prize... Of course, nobody ever won. They certainly couldn't afford the $10. it took to buy the ticket! However, this year Summer actually won something!
This dramatic tale adequately retained the reader's interest from the first to the last page. It was a well written story but lacked "heart"... It read more like a commentary. Some adolescent issues were slightly portrayed but was overly simplified. It was mostly uplifting and like a fairy tale. It is still a great book for middle school readers - especially YA girls.
The book cover was simple and eye-catching, but it depicts very little about the story line. The development of the characters in the story are quite interesting and one could feel each's personality. The background scenes are depicted quite well but could use improvement.
*This book was sent to me for an honest review, of which I have given.
As was Summer's family tradition, she was enjoying her thirteenth birthday, scratching off the chosen numbers on a lottery card. This had been a very unusual tradition for as long as she could remember. On each birthday, the person receives a lottery ticket in a birthday card to try to win a lottery prize... Of course, nobody ever won. They certainly couldn't afford the $10. it took to buy the ticket! However, this year Summer actually won something!
This dramatic tale adequately retained the reader's interest from the first to the last page. It was a well written story but lacked "heart"... It read more like a commentary. Some adolescent issues were slightly portrayed but was overly simplified. It was mostly uplifting and like a fairy tale. It is still a great book for middle school readers - especially YA girls.
The book cover was simple and eye-catching, but it depicts very little about the story line. The development of the characters in the story are quite interesting and one could feel each's personality. The background scenes are depicted quite well but could use improvement.
*This book was sent to me for an honest review, of which I have given.
October 10, 2014
I received a free ecopy of this book for an honest review.
When Summer’s family wins the lottery, everything and everyone in her hometown of Scranton goes crazy. The solution? Summer’s mom tells her and her sister, JC, that they’re moving. They end up in a small town with a lot of wealthy people.
You can’t help but feel sorry for Summer. It’s hard enough to move when you’re in junior high or high school. Everyone has their own friends who they’ve grown up with and it can be difficult for a newcomer to make friends. She also has to deal with a complete change of lifestyle and trying to fit in with a whole different type of people than she’s used to.
Dawn Malone’s writing style flows well and is easy to read. It’s easy to picture the people and places she’s writing about.
Bingo Summer is not only a good story but it emphasizes the importance of accepting ourselves for who we are and that we’re not going to be happy if we try to be someone we’re not. A great example of that is Summer’s mom. She is who she is and she doesn’t apologize to anyone for the way she is.
I definitely recommend Bingo Summer for readers 10 and up.
When Summer’s family wins the lottery, everything and everyone in her hometown of Scranton goes crazy. The solution? Summer’s mom tells her and her sister, JC, that they’re moving. They end up in a small town with a lot of wealthy people.
You can’t help but feel sorry for Summer. It’s hard enough to move when you’re in junior high or high school. Everyone has their own friends who they’ve grown up with and it can be difficult for a newcomer to make friends. She also has to deal with a complete change of lifestyle and trying to fit in with a whole different type of people than she’s used to.
Dawn Malone’s writing style flows well and is easy to read. It’s easy to picture the people and places she’s writing about.
Bingo Summer is not only a good story but it emphasizes the importance of accepting ourselves for who we are and that we’re not going to be happy if we try to be someone we’re not. A great example of that is Summer’s mom. She is who she is and she doesn’t apologize to anyone for the way she is.
I definitely recommend Bingo Summer for readers 10 and up.
October 15, 2014
This is a cute, heart-warming story about a girl who goes from rags to riches and learns more about herself and life in the process.
The characters are well done, making it easy to slip into their skins. Their problems are easy to sympathize with. . well, maybe not the getting rich part, but the struggles for acceptance, fitting in and self-esteem are very fitting for this age group. The dialogue is believable, and the setting nicely described. I loved the character's reactions to the changes that she was faced with and enjoyed the way she dealt with the different problems and successes she faced. I really think upper middle grade girls will have no trouble connecting with her. However, I would not necessarily recommend this to teens.
My only critique concerns some of the background information - I sometimes felt things were missing or too quickly shoved under the carpet (hence 4 stars). But I full-heartedly recommend this to girls ages 9-12 and believe they will thoroughly enjoy it.
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
The characters are well done, making it easy to slip into their skins. Their problems are easy to sympathize with. . well, maybe not the getting rich part, but the struggles for acceptance, fitting in and self-esteem are very fitting for this age group. The dialogue is believable, and the setting nicely described. I loved the character's reactions to the changes that she was faced with and enjoyed the way she dealt with the different problems and successes she faced. I really think upper middle grade girls will have no trouble connecting with her. However, I would not necessarily recommend this to teens.
My only critique concerns some of the background information - I sometimes felt things were missing or too quickly shoved under the carpet (hence 4 stars). But I full-heartedly recommend this to girls ages 9-12 and believe they will thoroughly enjoy it.
I received a free copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
October 11, 2014
I found myself really relating to Summer (although I’ve never won millions on a scratch-off). Her struggle with learning the difference between working to fit in with the popular kids & impressing people to make friends… and being real and true to yourself & just finding the place you fit to find friends was just so REAL. So true to life. I think it’s something most kids in junior school and high school go through. Heck… it’s something people continue to go through as adults.
Like Summer, I’ve had times of trying to dress the part of the person I think more people would be drawn to. But when I’m honest with myself… and go with my jeans and geeky t-shirts, and hoody sweat shirts… I’m just more comfortable in my own skin. And I find that when I’m comfortable with myself… I’m less worried with what others’ are thinking of me.
I’d love to read another Summer book. The young romance starting between Summer and Dink would make for a fun read I think. Plus… I’d just love to know more about Dink and his missionary parents.
Like Summer, I’ve had times of trying to dress the part of the person I think more people would be drawn to. But when I’m honest with myself… and go with my jeans and geeky t-shirts, and hoody sweat shirts… I’m just more comfortable in my own skin. And I find that when I’m comfortable with myself… I’m less worried with what others’ are thinking of me.
I’d love to read another Summer book. The young romance starting between Summer and Dink would make for a fun read I think. Plus… I’d just love to know more about Dink and his missionary parents.
October 13, 2014
Winning the lottery is one thing everyone dreams about, but how would your life change if it actually came true? Summer finds out in this enjoyable novel.
The characters in this book, especially Summer's quirky, eccentric mother, are well-written and relatable, and the book moves at a good pace. There's good conflicts and lessons learned (dealing with "mean girls", overcoming the "shame" of coming from a poor background, the scary thought of losing old friends) and a nice hint at romance.
I'd consider this a more upper-level middle grade book, almost YA, but would recommend it, definitely. It was well-written and fun to read. The story might be strengthened by more up-to-date references (emailing instead of writing letters--I doubt many kids know what a postage stamp is nowadays), but besides little things like that, I had fun reading this one :D
Nikki Bennett
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)
The characters in this book, especially Summer's quirky, eccentric mother, are well-written and relatable, and the book moves at a good pace. There's good conflicts and lessons learned (dealing with "mean girls", overcoming the "shame" of coming from a poor background, the scary thought of losing old friends) and a nice hint at romance.
I'd consider this a more upper-level middle grade book, almost YA, but would recommend it, definitely. It was well-written and fun to read. The story might be strengthened by more up-to-date references (emailing instead of writing letters--I doubt many kids know what a postage stamp is nowadays), but besides little things like that, I had fun reading this one :D
Nikki Bennett
Nik's Picks Book Reviews
www.nikki-bennett.com
(I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.)
July 13, 2016
A fun and thoughtful read about the changes Summer faces when she and her family win 10 million dollars in a lottery scratch-off. When Summer's mother moves the family to avoid the publicity, Summer isn't sure that the lottery winnings were worth the changes. They may have a bigger house, enough food, and clothes bought new instead of second-hand, but losing her best friend and the town where she grew up takes a lot of the joy out of the new belongings.
I thought Summer's character was developed well and realistically. I liked that she had to work through the changes, not only of moving, but also adapting to having money after spending her childhood in a household where they barely scraped by. The secondary characters were developed well, too. It covers some more serious issues, but there's plenty of humor and friendship to balance things out.
I thought Summer's character was developed well and realistically. I liked that she had to work through the changes, not only of moving, but also adapting to having money after spending her childhood in a household where they barely scraped by. The secondary characters were developed well, too. It covers some more serious issues, but there's plenty of humor and friendship to balance things out.
October 16, 2014
I'm an almost 30 year old momm to a 1 year old toddler and my book list is 70% young adult fiction. Bingo Summer started slow for me and I felt I would not be able to finish reading it at all. But after a couple of chapters, I started enjoying Summer and her struggle with abrupt changes happening around her and within herself. It's a fun reading how "crazy-weird" her mom is. How different she is from her sister. How instant money can change anyone. How to recover from a bad introduction that turned into a crush. In the end, this is really a story of self discovery and finding your own voice. A great read specially for any teenager going through tough changes in their lives
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