Someone Like Summer

by M.E. Kerr

Annabel first sees him playing soccer near her house. His name is Esteban—she sees it on the back of his team shirt. He notices her, smiles, then looks back over his shoulder at her again. It is the beginning of summer in the resort town of Seaview. It is also the start of a romance between a young Colombian who came to town to work and the daughter of a local contractor whose crews are entirely Latino—new immigrants who are changing the face of Seaview. This is the summer of war in Iraq, and of Hurricane Katrina. But in Seaview there are other concerns. In Annabel's house her new boyfriend is at the top of the list. And Esteban's sister has harsh words for his choice of a girlfriend. M. E. Kerr weaves a compelling story of star-crossed love and a small-town problem of nationwide significance.

Genres: Young Adult, Romance

272 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 2007

About the author

M. E. Kerr was born Marijane Meaker in Auburn, New York. Her interest in writing began with her father, who loved to read, and her mother, who loved to tell stories of neighborhood gossip. Unable to find an agent to represent her work, Meaker became her own agent, and wrote articles and books under a series of pseudonyms: Vin Packer, Ann Aldrich, Laura Winston, M.E. Kerr, and Mary James. As M.E. Kerr, Meaker has produced over twenty novels for young adults and won multiple awards, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award for her lifetime contribution to young adult literature.

Reviews

[Susan Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this for a YA discussion book group. We were doing romance titles and this one totally fit the bill: rich white girl Annabele falls in love with Esteban, an illegal immigrant from Colombia who is doing some work for her father. The lines are very clearly drawn between the minorities in her rich Hamptons town - and in her family. Her father is willing to hire the workers, but not let one of them court his daughter. But Esteban's family and friends don't want him seeing a "flour face" either. Annabelle sees Esteban behind her father's back until she is caught and then all hell breaks loose. I liked this because it doesn't end happily, but Kerr still leaves the possibility for a sequel involving these 2 characters. The girls in the book club all seemed very interested in this one, and the one who had read it really liked it.

[Jennifer Wardrip · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reviewed by Mechele R. Dillard for TeensReadToo.com

In an age when questions of illegal immigration and exploitation of workers increasingly threaten to divide American society, M. E. Kerr presents a story of young interracial love that could be found anywhere in the country, not just in the resort town of Seaview, NY. All of the characters are here: the overt racist, protected by a successful position in the community; the young intellectual trapped between what he knows and who he loves; the businessman using illegal immigrants to his advantage, while convincing himself that he is doing them a favor; the immigrants themselves, some legal, some not, trying to build a life within a new culture, but also trying to retain their own heritage; and the young lovers, one hoping to improve himself, but constrained by the fact that he is in the U.S. illegally, and one too naïve to understand that love simply cannot conquer all. Yes, they are all here--and Kerr doesn't shy away from the ups or the downs.

Kerr specifically showcases the complexities of prejudice in the character of Annabel's father, Kenneth Brown. Although he constantly belittles the Hispanic population, referring to people as "muchachos" and refusing to learn the names of his workers, simply referring to everyone as "Pedro" or "Jose," he seems to truly believe he is open-minded and forward thinking, simply because he is willing to hire Hispanic workers. The fact that he pays them less than half what he would pay an American worker doesn't register as racist whatsoever: "It's a darn good deal for them .... Most of them don't speak English, and some don't even have papers. I don't ask questions. I give them steady work. They learn on the job some of them, and they can earn as high as three hundred a week" (p. 12). Annabel, meanwhile, even though she is in love with a man from Colombia, remains in denial about her father's racism, defending him directly to Esteban: "My father sometimes uses that language ... but he doesn't mean to offend anyone. He's just from the old school. They don't know how offensive it is" (p. 165).

Kenneth Brown knows better; Annabel Brown knows better; we all know better. And, as Kerr points out, we are all capable of racism and denial, regardless of our race. Esteban frequently makes excuses for his sister, who hates Annabel and calls her names solely because Annabel is ehite: "Stop throwing yourself at my brother, Flour Face" (p. 7). When it comes to prejudice and hatred, it seems, unfortunately, that there is enough to go around for everyone.

In addition to putting a spotlight on the many problems we must face regarding immigration, Kerr does an excellent job of introducing the names of many giants of literature--Hemingway, e.e. cummings, Poe--and other artistic greats into the storyline. Kerr drops tidbits of information into the dialogue, providing just enough trivia to whet one's interest in these various artists, thus encouraging readers to hit the library and look for details beyond the SOMEONE LIKE SUMMER sound bite.

Ultimately, this is an important work for so many reasons, and one must be somewhat courageous to even pick up the book and read it. Why? Because it's not a matter of if you will see yourself in the pages. Rather, the question is, "In which character will you see yourself?"

[Lyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blonde and beautiful, seventeen-year-old Annabelle Brown falls in love with Esteban Santiago, an undocumented immigrant from Columbia. Both live in the Hamptons in the resort town of Seaview, but in different worlds.

Annabelle's dad, a contractor, fills his building crews with illegal immigrants. Though he pays them less than the norm and has little respect for them, he treats them well as long as they do their jobs. However, any mistake is a firing offense. He hires Esteban to do roofing on their house at Annabelle's recommendation. She hopes her father will like the young Columbian. But Esteban, distracted by Annabelle, makes a mistake on the type of nails he uses, attracting the wrong type of attention from her dad.

When her dad realizes that Annabelle is seeing Esteban he makes rules intending to keep them apart. Annabelle, an unusually compliant daughter, twists the rules and sees Esteban anyway.

Esteban's sister, who thinks all white girls are loose, is furious with her brother for seeing Annabelle. The prejudices of the star-crossed lovers' families are amplified when the town decides to evict the immigrants.

Someone Like Summer is a love story, but Kerr has long been a writer who is unafraid to take on social issues. She shows the immigrant situation from both sides, while following the bittersweet romance between Annabelle and Esteban.

[Gwen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was absolutely fabulous. It is the story of a white girl, Annabel, who falls in love with a Latino boy, Esteban, but their families don’t want them in a relationship because of their races. Anna’s father believes all Latinos are good for is work and Esteban’s friends and sister believe all white girls are “easy”. It seems the only people on their side are Anna’s dad’s girlfriend, Larkin, and Anna’s brother Kenyon. They have to deal with a surprising antagonist, an unwilling entourage, and a visit from the police at Esteban’s house, until they reach their breaking point. What is that point, though? And when it is reached, what will they do? Read this amazing book and find out, you won't regret it.

[Meaghan · Rating 1 out of 5]

It's hard going, but I am going to finish this book. Kerr's strong point is not really subtle character development. Sigh.

Wholly disappointing. I thought I'd remembered Kerr covering controversial/timely topics better, but maybe I was wrong. Irrelevant mentions of Katrina and surface references to the Iraq war attempt to place this book in 2005, but nothing is fully incorporated. Slim characterizations and oversimplification take what was potentially a compelling YA story of star-crossed lovers and turn it into a semi-didactic mess.

One star for trying to bring to the forefront the topic of (illegal) immigration, day labor, and we-all-feel-the-same-love.

[Jennell · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved the idea of a writer trying to break the negative stereoypes surrounding Hispanics in America, especially Hispanic men. I liked Esteban as a character, but I agree with another reviewer: the writing is WEAK. I also can't recommend this book to my students because of the foul language! Did M.E. Kerr really have to drop the "F" bomb so seem authentic?
Annabel didn't seem like a real teenaged girl either. It's not a real girl's voice I hear.
Hopefully someone soon will write a book with real Hispanic teenagers and deal with some of these tough issues.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun light read about a girl in high school who meets a migrant worker from South America. I read it because it was another good story about a forbidden love between cultures. And it took place just before Hurricane Katrina hit and in the aftermath of the developing Iraq war- from a seventeen year olds perspective.

I also like to stay up on trends in the young adult fiction world :see Empress of the World:

[Alicia · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really tried to get through this...but I couldn't. I made it about 70 pages into the book and I had to quit. The story just didn't keep me interested. The character of Esteban really bugged me. Even though they had a language barrier, he sounded like a ten year old and I couldn't deal with it. Annabel's dad really bothered me as well. I know this was suppose to be a book "with a message" but I reading it was a struggle.

[Bellaevansleslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

when anabel first sees estabaun she cant help but fall in love with him.when he finaly sees her too. at jungle petes when he finishes singing he comes over to her and her ex-boyfriend.when he dose some construction work for her dad. but while he is at dinner with her he notices some nails sticking out of the roof.once anabels father finds out he forbids her to see him but anabel continues to behind his back.

[Andrea Conway · Rating 5 out of 5]

this book was very pasionet. it had alot of racism twards the hispanixs and the whites. but in the end the parents get what they want, to keep the kids away from each other. estaban goes off to military schol to try nd get his green card. he leaves annabell there and she goes crazzy hoping he will be ok .

[Jenn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh man, I almost didn't even finish this book because it was not worth it. I honestly think it was a waste of my time.. The characters were extremely poorly developed and it was just plain out BORING! Nothig exciting happened and the pace was just so slow that I anything else seemed more interesting. Not a good summer read!

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

This portrayal of a privileged teen in NJ's relationship with an illegal Latin American immigrant seems at times to rely on stereotypes. Still, the emotional texture of the relationship--and the boy's struggle to get ahead in the US--rang true and stuck with me.

[Ashley · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really hate giving books one star. I try not to do it at all costs, but this was a book I just could not get behind. Stilted dialogue, Kerr rushed over themes. Just overall, not a great read. Luckily it was really short and quick.

[Shannon Mulholland · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was pretty unpleasant, I did not like Esteban, because he seemed so sketchy. Annabel on the other hand was my favorite character, and I liked her dad and step-mom's characters. I did not get into the plot, and the whole time I wanted Esteban to leave Annabel alone.

[Kara · Rating 2 out of 5]

A typical star-crossed lovers teen romance

[Krista · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is really good. Its aboud a forbidden romance between a girl and a boy from columbia. Her father disapproves of the boy and the boy's older sister doesn't like her very much either.

[Marilyn]

I was delighted to read this because it grew out of a story M.E. Kerr wrote for the anthology I edited, FACE RELATIONS. Fascinating to see where and how it developed!

[Flor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Muy bueno ;)

[Jess · Rating 1 out of 5]

Far too boring to finish.

[Tami · Rating 3 out of 5]

was light and a good distraction as a pause in the middle of the wedding etiquette book.

[Katie]

this is definitely a good book!

[Chrissy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book because it kinda reminded me of romeo and juliet. and i really love those adaptations of classical stories

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On a recommended list for YA literature.

[Abby · Rating 3 out of 5]

good, but not great. had a sweet romantic plot, but not very well developed.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

it was a pretty good book.i would recommend it to a friend that likes romance and life storys.

[Brittni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good summer read. I was disappointed with the ending, but I guess that's the point. It makes you realize that not everything always works out the way we think it should!

[Rei · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book had a promising plot, however the names are to genetical and the writing is disappointing.

[Madison · Rating 2 out of 5]

i did not enjoy this book, i still read the whole book, but it just didnt really suck me in. i was kinda bored

[Naeela · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED THIS BOOK. I READ IT IN HIGHSCHOOL AND I GRADUATED HIGHSCHOOL ALMOST 3 YEARS AGO. THIS BOOK IS SO PERFECT.

[Annie Tuinukuafe · Rating 3 out of 5]

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