Summer's End

by Audrey Couloumbis

When one cousin went to serve in Vietnam and the other ran away to Canada, Dolly's family was left in shambles and now, with Grace's brother considering desertion as well, the fragile ties that bind their worlds together are being pushed to the limits as politics, patriotism, and personal beliefs take their toll on everyone involved.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Young Adult

192 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2005

About the author

Audrey is a recently transplanted (yet again) New Yorker (by choice), now in Bunker Hill, West Virginia (also by choice), where Civil War ghosts scare the dogs at night, where a CSX train track runs behind the house and the romantic sound of a faraway train can be heard three or four times a day, where she is starting a new garden of rambling roses and assorted deer-resistant flowering shrubs and renovating an old house.

Leisure time, what little there is of it, is spent watching how-to acrylic painting videos on youtube and occasionally getting out the paints to play.

New books are on the way: If Wishes Were Princes, Life and Death at the Warwick Arms, and Anthony Was Here. Stay tuned.

Reviews

[Erin Mash · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy reading historical fiction books which this one is. It is about a 13 year old girl who's brother was drafted into the Vietnam War. Her brother burns his draft card starting an outrage with his family. Grace tries to escape the war however it is everywhere and she can't avoid it. Although there were parts that I couldn't understand, I really liked the overall story in this book. It was a bit boring at times but I really liked it once it picked up.

[Mr. Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my absolute favorite historical fiction books EVER! Dealing with family differences about the Vietnam War, the book is realistically told by a 12 year old girl who is stuck in the middle and doesn't know what to think about it.

We voted for it to be on the Nutmeg list this year, but it is out of print in many places so we had to replace it. :(

[Marianna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a child's book. I read it because I am a teacher and I am always looking for books to give to my low level readers that will keep their interest. This was a Newbery Honor Award Winner so I thought I'd give it a try. Let me just say, that just because it was a kid's book doesn't mean it should bore the eyes out of me. I think the story was basically good and chapter lengths were good for readers who are challenged. But it sort of lagged in the middle. The last thing I want a book to do for challenged or young readers is lag. It of course is a little dated, about the Vietnam War, in other words, it is aimed at children who did not live during the Vietnam War and whose parents did not serve in the Vietnam War. This book should most likely be coupled with a study of the Vietnam War but, reading level-wise, is most appropriate for pre-teens. I'm not sure what pre-teens can understand the scope of the Vietnam War. I teach teenagers who might find the plot a little simplistic but understand the complexities of protesters in the Vietnam War. They might find the book childish. So, I am not sure exactly where I would classify the book or who I would recommend it to.

[James Crawford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Grace is about thirteen years of age, and she has an older brother named Collin.

It's also the time of the Vietnam war and the massacre at Kent State. Collin has burned his draft card, and it's possible he might go to Canada to escape being drafted. The book is about the effect his decision has on the family. Collin's father is extremely angry at what Collin has done. There have been other boys in the neighborhood who have gone and been injured, gone and been lost, and gone to Canada.

The father is very “be a man and fight” type of person. The mother is dealing with the fact that the main person involved is her son. Grace is rather confused over everything that is going on, and isn't sure just how to react.

This isn't a book filled with philosophical discussions; it's mainly a “slice-of-life” type of story about how people react to young males not wanting to fight in a war they considered unjust and unnecessary.

[Jessie Aljets · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fourth book I read is called summer's end by Audrey Couloumbus. It is a historical fiction. It is about a girl named Grace who changes her views on her brother Collin. Collin was her older brother who did not want to go into military service and was against the war and Grace's father learned Collin burned his draft card and left to Canada. Grace was stuck between trying to pick sides between her mother and father. She later then discovers that right or wrong she will still love her brother the same way.
It can relate to you as a reader if you have an unresolved conflict with someone. I know it had a significant impact on me. In my opinion I felt I related more to Collin because we both have conflicts with our parents. I would recommend this to teenagers.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When an older brother leaves for Canada instead of going to Vietnam, what happens to the family he leaves behind?

[Taylor]

this is a very good book. It includes a lot of descripition. Grace turns thirteen and everything changes for her. The Vietnam war is getting closer and Grace's brother Collin is drafted.

[Taarini Gupta · Rating 1 out of 5]

long, boring, deep, but overdramatic, and sometimes under dramatic, oh and btw, did I mention boring!