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Memories of Summer
Newbery Honor Winner Ruth White gives readers an unforgettable story of one girl’s experience growing up with a sister that develops schizophrenia.
It’s 1955 when 13-year-old Lyric moves with her father and older sister, Summer, from a small Virginia town to the big industrial city of Flint, Michigan. Summer has always been a little odd, but shortly after the move, things take a turn for the worse when she starts talking to imaginary people and having frightening episodes of paranoia. When she slips out of reality and into the depths of schizophrenia, the devoted Lyric can no longer reach her.
Lyric loves her sister but is torn between taking constant care of Summer and enjoying her own youth. Soon a decision will have to be made that will affect their lives forever.
It’s 1955 when 13-year-old Lyric moves with her father and older sister, Summer, from a small Virginia town to the big industrial city of Flint, Michigan. Summer has always been a little odd, but shortly after the move, things take a turn for the worse when she starts talking to imaginary people and having frightening episodes of paranoia. When she slips out of reality and into the depths of schizophrenia, the devoted Lyric can no longer reach her.
Lyric loves her sister but is torn between taking constant care of Summer and enjoying her own youth. Soon a decision will have to be made that will affect their lives forever.
160 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 2001
9 people are currently reading
582 people want to read
About the author
Ruth White
80 books113 followersI was born in the Appalachian hills of Virginia, which is the setting for Belle Prater's Boy and The Search for Belle Prater. I lived there until I graduated from high school and went away to college. Though I left the hills, they never left me. My memories of those years are quite vivid. I have always referred to that time as both traumatic and wonderful. I get most of my ideas for my stories from those memories of my childhood home, the small coal-mining town of Grundy, Virginia.
I started writing at a very young age. I remember trying to write stories before I was even able to put long sentences together. It was just something I felt compelled to do, probably because I loved stories so much. We had no television because my family was very poor; my mother was raising my three sisters and me with very little money. So we read aloud and enjoyed each other’s company.
Eventually I became a teacher and then a school librarian. Working in the public schools among adolescents fueled my desire to write, and I suppose the age group I worked with helped me determine that I wanted to write for them instead of for adults or smaller children. I wrote my first book, The City Rose, based on an experience that happened when I taught seventh and eighth grade in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina. The schools had recently been integrated, and I had two black girls in one of my classes. I noticed that whenever we went to the library, they didn’t check out any books. Finally, they told me that it was because they couldn’t find any books about black children. So I decided to write one.
For Belle Prater's Boy, my inspiration came from Grundy, like it has so many times. When I was small I used to ride through the nicest residential area there and look at the pretty houses and manicured lawns. I thought these were wealthy people who had ideal lives. Only in later years did I realize that the people living in those houses were quite average, living the way most Americans live. They had their own particular problems, which I could not even imagine. So I decided to set a novel there. First, I created Gypsy, the city mouse, who lived in one of those pretty houses, and Woodrow, the country mouse, who was from the sticks. Then I asked them to tell me their story.
I didn’t plan to write a sequel to Belle Prater's Boy. I thought Woodrow's theory about what happened to his mother would be enough for the reader, but it obviously was not. I had many letters from readers wanting to know what happened to Belle, and asking me to write a sequel. Actually, I did the first draft of the sequel in the late nineties. After many revisions, I created The Search for Belle Prater.
When I'm not writing, I like to walk in the park with my golden retriever, listen to books on tape, and watch movies. Away from home, I like to visit schools and talk to young people about books and writing. My daughter usually travels with me, and we have a great time together.
I started writing at a very young age. I remember trying to write stories before I was even able to put long sentences together. It was just something I felt compelled to do, probably because I loved stories so much. We had no television because my family was very poor; my mother was raising my three sisters and me with very little money. So we read aloud and enjoyed each other’s company.
Eventually I became a teacher and then a school librarian. Working in the public schools among adolescents fueled my desire to write, and I suppose the age group I worked with helped me determine that I wanted to write for them instead of for adults or smaller children. I wrote my first book, The City Rose, based on an experience that happened when I taught seventh and eighth grade in Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina. The schools had recently been integrated, and I had two black girls in one of my classes. I noticed that whenever we went to the library, they didn’t check out any books. Finally, they told me that it was because they couldn’t find any books about black children. So I decided to write one.
For Belle Prater's Boy, my inspiration came from Grundy, like it has so many times. When I was small I used to ride through the nicest residential area there and look at the pretty houses and manicured lawns. I thought these were wealthy people who had ideal lives. Only in later years did I realize that the people living in those houses were quite average, living the way most Americans live. They had their own particular problems, which I could not even imagine. So I decided to set a novel there. First, I created Gypsy, the city mouse, who lived in one of those pretty houses, and Woodrow, the country mouse, who was from the sticks. Then I asked them to tell me their story.
I didn’t plan to write a sequel to Belle Prater's Boy. I thought Woodrow's theory about what happened to his mother would be enough for the reader, but it obviously was not. I had many letters from readers wanting to know what happened to Belle, and asking me to write a sequel. Actually, I did the first draft of the sequel in the late nineties. After many revisions, I created The Search for Belle Prater.
When I'm not writing, I like to walk in the park with my golden retriever, listen to books on tape, and watch movies. Away from home, I like to visit schools and talk to young people about books and writing. My daughter usually travels with me, and we have a great time together.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 115 reviews
March 31, 2021
I would not say the writing is exceptional in this book, but the depiction of Summer's ever-increasingly "weird" behavior is certainly accurate, IMO. My aunt suffered from paranoid schizophrenia throughout most of her adult life and if not for lithium, I doubt she would have ever been able to live outside an institutional setting. White has set this book in the mid-1950's before lithium and much of anything else except electroshock therapy as treatment for schizophrenia. I do remember my aunt undergoing shock therapy in the first round of treatment following her first break with reality. Once my grandmother discovered that, she insisted there would be no more such treatments for her daughter.
I can recall some memories of my aunt's irregular/abnormal (Although I defy anyone to truly define 'normal'! LOL) actions and behaviors that mirror Summers'. Although you could tell my aunt's reactions weren't always what you might expect, she was able to live a fairly normal life, though she was unable to ever hold down a job again. She would try every 3-5 years until she began caring for her mother full-time, but after several months she couldn't handle it...
It would be especially difficult to be the parent and/or the sibling of someone suffering from such a debilitating disease. I could understand Lyric's love and yet also shame as a child.
I could really appreciate White's reflection of Summers' inherent and inexplicable fear of electricity and then the fact that electroshock therapy simply provided no relief of her symptoms.
I can recall some memories of my aunt's irregular/abnormal (Although I defy anyone to truly define 'normal'! LOL) actions and behaviors that mirror Summers'. Although you could tell my aunt's reactions weren't always what you might expect, she was able to live a fairly normal life, though she was unable to ever hold down a job again. She would try every 3-5 years until she began caring for her mother full-time, but after several months she couldn't handle it...
It would be especially difficult to be the parent and/or the sibling of someone suffering from such a debilitating disease. I could understand Lyric's love and yet also shame as a child.
I could really appreciate White's reflection of Summers' inherent and inexplicable fear of electricity and then the fact that electroshock therapy simply provided no relief of her symptoms.
October 28, 2015
This was an amazing book that had me glued to the pages until the end.
March 29, 2011
I gave this book 5 stars because it was simply.....amazing! Did I like it? Can you like something that rips your heart out? That makes you cry so much you have to take your contacts out? This author really speaks to me. Her writing grips me. Her words stay with me. I am a better person for having read this. I don't think I will ever look at mental illness the same way again. Now I will think of the families in the background, struggling to hold on to that person they love, even though it's not the same person anymore. There is a part towards the end that is so powerful, where Lyric (the little sister who is the voice of the book) goes through so many emotions - embarrassment, humiliation, anger - before she remembers the love she has for this sister who took care of her and always loved her. Oh gosh, I'm crying again just thinking about it. I highly recommend this book to adults and teenagers, but I'm not sure about children. And now I have to go look at one of those Youtube videos where a baby is laughing at tearing paper or something.
December 7, 2020
I thought this was an excellent look at a young girl spiralling into full blown schizophrenia in the 50s. A decade later the sister of a friend of mine did the same and not much had changed; the shame of having a 'mental' family member and the stigma of mental illness were still very real as well as some of the barbaric treatments. Summer Compton is 'lucky' in that she has a loving father and sister who try to take care of her for as long as possible but eventually they can no longer cope. The only part I did not like was the ending - the very last chapter. It wasn't unrealistic but it was sad in a whole different way from the rest of the book.
May 29, 2014
*****WARNING*****SPOILER ALERT*****ENDING IS MENTIONED!!!!****
Memories of Summer is a bittersweet read. The novel ripped my heart out, but forced me to stitch it back, inside my chest, in order to continue reading. This book is a truly meaningful read. I broke down at some parts, but pulled through to the end. Summer and Lyric are sisters. Summer is a troubled young lady who has schizophrenia. She develops a more severe self destructive behavior as the story continues because she claims she is disappearing. Lyric is a caring, dedicated sister who tries, with all her strength, to pull Summer out of her troubles. Their dad, or Poppy as the girls call him, is a patient, hard working, and realistic individual. Lyric kept trying to help out with Summer, but Poppy helped her realize their was no chance at returning the happy Summer that once lived with them.
A family, that has lived their whole life in the hills of Virginia, moved to the bustling city of Flint, Michigan. Once in Flint, they lived in a crammed two room apartment with the Millers, but later they moved to a more spacious house in the suburbs. Poppy managed to snatch a job at General Motors before they completely went broke. A few months after the move, Summer started to develop a peculiar behavior. She would go around “whispering, whispering….jibble, jibble….”(page 54). Jibble was a word she made up, and would repeat constantly. These actions further developed into scratching, playing with fire, running away, and trying to kill herself. When Summer became uncontrollable, Poppy took her to the Buick hospital were she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. As Summer’s destructive behavior escaladed, Lyric tried to keep her in control. Lyric would sometimes sit by the window and long for her pleasant Summer. She wished the old Summer would come back. One day, a violent tornado swept through the suburbs. Lyric tried to get Summer in a safe shelter, but she refused to cooperate. Luckily, no one was injured. After that incident, Poppy decide to put Summer in a metal institution. Lyric contemplated Poppy’s decision about transferring Summer to an institution, but she realized it was the logical action to take in order to help her.
Through out the story, Lyric tries to hide Summer from her friends because she is embarrassed by her behavior. When Summer shows up to Lyric’s play auditions, the whole auditorium stared at her. Lyric decided to get up and introduces her sister to everyone. When it was time to introduce Summer to Lyric’s friends, Yolanda, Nadine, and Glady, they politely talk to Summer, while everyone pointed and whispered. These actions encompass a majority of the themes in the book. A theme of the book was to accept people, even if they are different. Another theme that was portrayed was, a true friend should never judge others because of their differences. Lyric still had a large amount of devotion for Summer after her schizophrenia developed into a higher state of severity. Another message was, to learn to love someone, even if they change their behavior. Throughout the novel, Summer presented many challenges to Lyric and Poppy, but they still remained a family. The most prominent theme in the novel was that, a strong family always pulls through a violent storm life casts upon them. Since the story ended with Summer being put in a mental institution, Lyric hoped that one day she can be with the true Summer again. The life lesson I will cherish most of all is that, life does not always present happy moments, but lessons are leaned from every experience, even if they are not visible in the moment.
I have a tender passion for this book. I will treasure dear Summer in my heart. I absolutely devoured this book with my emotions. The author was highly successful with her composition of the novel. I liked how the author pieced together a meaningful story with the use of simple language. This made the story both easy to understand, and easy to detect the themes scattered throughout the story. Ruth White did a wonderful job of explaining the life, of a family, that had to overcome challenges in a mentally ill member. I also enjoyed how she sprinkled in some history throughout the pages. She gave historical enrichment to connect with while reading the novel. She explained that “The UAW-United Auto Workers-was one of the most powerful unions in the world”(page 40). This allowed me to understand the time period, the living conditions of the family, and the importance of the family’s relocation to Flint.
I picked up this book as a quick read. I found myself connecting on every page. Lyric reminds me of Katniss from the movie The Hunger Games. Both of these females play a lead role. They fight for what they believe in, to ensure, that thier loved ones are safe. Lyric and Katniss over come many challenges, but they remain chose with their family. These females have a strong heart, and an even bigger determination to continue their quest until they reach success. On the other hand, Summer reminds me of Ruby from the book Free as a Bird. Both characters live their lives with a disorder. They deal with being stared at, and talked about behind their backs. They live their lives knowing that whenever they go out in public, someone is judging them behind their back.
There are people who would not like to read this book. A person who is sensitive to the topic of mental illness would struggle with this novel. This book could remind them of their challenges and bring back uncomfortable memories. If someone who had a hard time with a family member, who had or still has a mental illness, then they would not enjoy this book. This story contains many life changing challenges the characters overcome that could overwhelm the reader. It would arouse unpleasant feeling for the reader. Even though this book is in the youth realistic fiction genre, it would not be enjoyed by younger readers. The heavy subject of mental illness, in the book, can become difficult for young readers to digest. The image of Summer “standing there in her nightgown with bloody scratches on her face”(page 56), would leave unpleasant images in a child‘s mind. The imagery would be too intense for a child to comprehend. The reader may struggle with the context, and get the wrong message from the author.
I have decided to rate this book on my own scale that I have prepared. This book deserves its own rating scale because of the feelings I experiences, throughout the story, as I fallowed the characters experiences in Flint.
5- My heart is welling up with emotions and warm cup of tea is needed to continue reading.
[image error]
4-Awww, that was a sweet read, but I can skip the aftermath of an emotional storm.
[image error]
3-Ummm, it was ok, no poke at my emotions. I could live with out the read.
[image error]
2- Nooo, why did I waste my time on this book...my eyes hurt!!!
[image error]
1-Skip the book, don’t touch it, move on with your life. DO NOT READ THIS…..EVER!!!
[image error]
Well after reviewing my scale, I have decided to rate the book with a 5. YES…A 5!!!!!This book is truly amazing. It opened up my eyes on how I view the topic of mental illness. It taught me so many valuable life lessons. For example, to never give up on a fight, and take as many desperate measures as it takes to help a loved one. The author truly knows how to use pathos to connect to the readers’ heart. This book warmed my heart with the actions Lyric took to try to save Summer. I just wanted to curl up on the couch, with a cup of chamomile tea, and read my little heart out.
An audience for Memories of Summer is Chocolate For a Woman’s Courage. Both of these books show how the main characters fight, with all their strength, for what they believe in. These books have strong messages of taking every possible action until the end of the fight is reached. Both of these books are easy to connect to a personal life experience because everyone must fight to reach their goals in life.
Well I would like to conclude this wonderful moment you have taken from your day to read this review. I know I have left you with an eagerness to read this book. Ruth White is now one of my favorite author that has earned a spot on my book shelf. I cannot wait to read more of her literary works. I hope that after reading this cherished novel, you build a strong connection with the author. The last bullet I would like to pin is, one of my favorite parts from the novel. When a young fella asked for Summer’s phone number, at the pier, she replied with “ I know you just wanna break my heart, Cutie Pie”(page 26). In the end of the story, Lyric was walking on the pier with her friends A boy approached her, and asked for her number. She used Summer’s response to give him an answer. In this moment, I learned that if an ending to a situation is negative, only remember the positive. Happy reading everyone, and may the novels be with you!!! :)
Memories of Summer is a bittersweet read. The novel ripped my heart out, but forced me to stitch it back, inside my chest, in order to continue reading. This book is a truly meaningful read. I broke down at some parts, but pulled through to the end. Summer and Lyric are sisters. Summer is a troubled young lady who has schizophrenia. She develops a more severe self destructive behavior as the story continues because she claims she is disappearing. Lyric is a caring, dedicated sister who tries, with all her strength, to pull Summer out of her troubles. Their dad, or Poppy as the girls call him, is a patient, hard working, and realistic individual. Lyric kept trying to help out with Summer, but Poppy helped her realize their was no chance at returning the happy Summer that once lived with them.
A family, that has lived their whole life in the hills of Virginia, moved to the bustling city of Flint, Michigan. Once in Flint, they lived in a crammed two room apartment with the Millers, but later they moved to a more spacious house in the suburbs. Poppy managed to snatch a job at General Motors before they completely went broke. A few months after the move, Summer started to develop a peculiar behavior. She would go around “whispering, whispering….jibble, jibble….”(page 54). Jibble was a word she made up, and would repeat constantly. These actions further developed into scratching, playing with fire, running away, and trying to kill herself. When Summer became uncontrollable, Poppy took her to the Buick hospital were she was diagnosed with schizophrenia. As Summer’s destructive behavior escaladed, Lyric tried to keep her in control. Lyric would sometimes sit by the window and long for her pleasant Summer. She wished the old Summer would come back. One day, a violent tornado swept through the suburbs. Lyric tried to get Summer in a safe shelter, but she refused to cooperate. Luckily, no one was injured. After that incident, Poppy decide to put Summer in a metal institution. Lyric contemplated Poppy’s decision about transferring Summer to an institution, but she realized it was the logical action to take in order to help her.
Through out the story, Lyric tries to hide Summer from her friends because she is embarrassed by her behavior. When Summer shows up to Lyric’s play auditions, the whole auditorium stared at her. Lyric decided to get up and introduces her sister to everyone. When it was time to introduce Summer to Lyric’s friends, Yolanda, Nadine, and Glady, they politely talk to Summer, while everyone pointed and whispered. These actions encompass a majority of the themes in the book. A theme of the book was to accept people, even if they are different. Another theme that was portrayed was, a true friend should never judge others because of their differences. Lyric still had a large amount of devotion for Summer after her schizophrenia developed into a higher state of severity. Another message was, to learn to love someone, even if they change their behavior. Throughout the novel, Summer presented many challenges to Lyric and Poppy, but they still remained a family. The most prominent theme in the novel was that, a strong family always pulls through a violent storm life casts upon them. Since the story ended with Summer being put in a mental institution, Lyric hoped that one day she can be with the true Summer again. The life lesson I will cherish most of all is that, life does not always present happy moments, but lessons are leaned from every experience, even if they are not visible in the moment.
I have a tender passion for this book. I will treasure dear Summer in my heart. I absolutely devoured this book with my emotions. The author was highly successful with her composition of the novel. I liked how the author pieced together a meaningful story with the use of simple language. This made the story both easy to understand, and easy to detect the themes scattered throughout the story. Ruth White did a wonderful job of explaining the life, of a family, that had to overcome challenges in a mentally ill member. I also enjoyed how she sprinkled in some history throughout the pages. She gave historical enrichment to connect with while reading the novel. She explained that “The UAW-United Auto Workers-was one of the most powerful unions in the world”(page 40). This allowed me to understand the time period, the living conditions of the family, and the importance of the family’s relocation to Flint.
I picked up this book as a quick read. I found myself connecting on every page. Lyric reminds me of Katniss from the movie The Hunger Games. Both of these females play a lead role. They fight for what they believe in, to ensure, that thier loved ones are safe. Lyric and Katniss over come many challenges, but they remain chose with their family. These females have a strong heart, and an even bigger determination to continue their quest until they reach success. On the other hand, Summer reminds me of Ruby from the book Free as a Bird. Both characters live their lives with a disorder. They deal with being stared at, and talked about behind their backs. They live their lives knowing that whenever they go out in public, someone is judging them behind their back.
There are people who would not like to read this book. A person who is sensitive to the topic of mental illness would struggle with this novel. This book could remind them of their challenges and bring back uncomfortable memories. If someone who had a hard time with a family member, who had or still has a mental illness, then they would not enjoy this book. This story contains many life changing challenges the characters overcome that could overwhelm the reader. It would arouse unpleasant feeling for the reader. Even though this book is in the youth realistic fiction genre, it would not be enjoyed by younger readers. The heavy subject of mental illness, in the book, can become difficult for young readers to digest. The image of Summer “standing there in her nightgown with bloody scratches on her face”(page 56), would leave unpleasant images in a child‘s mind. The imagery would be too intense for a child to comprehend. The reader may struggle with the context, and get the wrong message from the author.
I have decided to rate this book on my own scale that I have prepared. This book deserves its own rating scale because of the feelings I experiences, throughout the story, as I fallowed the characters experiences in Flint.
5- My heart is welling up with emotions and warm cup of tea is needed to continue reading.
[image error]
4-Awww, that was a sweet read, but I can skip the aftermath of an emotional storm.
[image error]
3-Ummm, it was ok, no poke at my emotions. I could live with out the read.
[image error]
2- Nooo, why did I waste my time on this book...my eyes hurt!!!
[image error]
1-Skip the book, don’t touch it, move on with your life. DO NOT READ THIS…..EVER!!!
[image error]
Well after reviewing my scale, I have decided to rate the book with a 5. YES…A 5!!!!!This book is truly amazing. It opened up my eyes on how I view the topic of mental illness. It taught me so many valuable life lessons. For example, to never give up on a fight, and take as many desperate measures as it takes to help a loved one. The author truly knows how to use pathos to connect to the readers’ heart. This book warmed my heart with the actions Lyric took to try to save Summer. I just wanted to curl up on the couch, with a cup of chamomile tea, and read my little heart out.
An audience for Memories of Summer is Chocolate For a Woman’s Courage. Both of these books show how the main characters fight, with all their strength, for what they believe in. These books have strong messages of taking every possible action until the end of the fight is reached. Both of these books are easy to connect to a personal life experience because everyone must fight to reach their goals in life.
Well I would like to conclude this wonderful moment you have taken from your day to read this review. I know I have left you with an eagerness to read this book. Ruth White is now one of my favorite author that has earned a spot on my book shelf. I cannot wait to read more of her literary works. I hope that after reading this cherished novel, you build a strong connection with the author. The last bullet I would like to pin is, one of my favorite parts from the novel. When a young fella asked for Summer’s phone number, at the pier, she replied with “ I know you just wanna break my heart, Cutie Pie”(page 26). In the end of the story, Lyric was walking on the pier with her friends A boy approached her, and asked for her number. She used Summer’s response to give him an answer. In this moment, I learned that if an ending to a situation is negative, only remember the positive. Happy reading everyone, and may the novels be with you!!! :)
July 5, 2010
My classification of this one might be stretching things a little. The multicultural element is a family from the rural Virginia with a schizophrenic daughter, and the urban location is Flint, MI in 1955. But I think that multiculturalism should include more than just ethnicities; reading this book, A Corner of the Universe, and (george) indicated to me that the mentally ill do occupy their own culture, as do the people who interact with them on a daily basis. Those who are not members of this culture can feel uncomfortable or act in a way that is inappropriate or cruel when faced with someone who is mentally ill. Reading this book made my heart hurt a little, like it does when I read about anyone who is trapped in their circumstances or who is treated cruelly. We get a large number of group homes that visit the library where I work, and while these books are not representative of everyone with mental trouble, they do lift the corners of my universe a little, and allow me to peek into someone else's, enhancing my understanding and empathy.
I think that this book could do the same with a young reader, probably a middle school audience. The characters are likeable, and it's hard not to identify with a young girl who has to fit into a new place, who is excessively countrified and trying to find her way in a big city, who is limited by her mentally ill sister, but also who grows up and comes into her own because of that same sister. And like many of our blogs and discussions have mentioned, creating characters who expand a reader's ability to empathize is one of the highest aims an author can have.
Nothing noticeably objectionable.
I think that this book could do the same with a young reader, probably a middle school audience. The characters are likeable, and it's hard not to identify with a young girl who has to fit into a new place, who is excessively countrified and trying to find her way in a big city, who is limited by her mentally ill sister, but also who grows up and comes into her own because of that same sister. And like many of our blogs and discussions have mentioned, creating characters who expand a reader's ability to empathize is one of the highest aims an author can have.
Nothing noticeably objectionable.
Read
March 2, 2025I have googled so many combinations of words to try and find this book I read probably sometime before I turned 10. Although I don't remember much about it, the impressions of reading it have stayed forever and now it feels like such an obvious breadcrumb in my journey to becoming a counselor.
January 12, 2025
I read this one over and over again as a child. It still draws me in and helps me contemplate the meaning of suffering.
May 14, 2017
A nice, short, honestly and simply written account of a thirteen-year old girl dealing with an older sister's mental illness. In 1955, Lyric Compton moves to Flint, Michigan with her father and sixteen-year old sister, Summer. Unfortunately, Summer is soon diagnosed with schizophrenia and eventually needs to be institutionalized. This story is told through Lyric's eyes and is rich with description of the time period as well as the emotional impact her sister's illness has on her and her father. Honest and realistic, it's a touching, sad, and poignant story, one with which many readers can identify.
It would be a good book to give a ten-year old child or older, who is dealing with the same situation.
It would be a good book to give a ten-year old child or older, who is dealing with the same situation.
March 9, 2010
Very quick and short read. I was surprised at the abruptness of the ending, I had expected it to go a bit further into their lives, or possible have some big event that changed everything. It just crept along and then ended. After I finished the book I did a little research on the author and it turns out this is a very personal story. She has an older sister who was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was a teenager. I thought her treatment of the subject was very honest, but overall I just wasn't heavily invested.
January 29, 2014
Una storia per ragazzi che insegna moltissimo su quanto sia difficile accettare la diversità e le malattie. Bello.
October 22, 2015
This was an amazing book with a very powerful ending. The book will grab your heart break it then stitch it back together again in just 135 pages.
December 11, 2015
This was a Great Book! Everyone must read it!
Read
November 10, 2015AMAZING BOOK
February 9, 2018
a quick read that engages the issue of a family with a child who grows up and into a teenager with schizophrenia
November 29, 2020
My book club, Modern Mrs. Darcy, challenged members to read a book published during the decade of our birth. So, I looked for an option and I found Memories of Summer by Ruth White written in the late 1950s. This story is somewhat autobiographical about a coal miner’s family in the Appalachian Mountains moving to Flint, Michigan for a job at a car factory. These jobs came with guaranteed work, medical benefits, and union wages. There were three in this family since the Wife/Mother died years prior. But this cozy threesome went from deep poverty to a small home where the father, Poppy, and his two daughters Summer and Lyric lived together. What struck me was that they thought they were rich with basic things like beds and a dining room table. Sadly, the oldest daughter, Summer, has schizophrenia, and Poppy and Lyric try to handle her care on their own since they don’t want to abandon her to a mental health facility. Most of the story revolves around Summers slowly torturous slide into insanity as this family adapts to her declining mental health coupled with the opportunities arising from the booming automotive industry. The story is mostly about unconditional love, responsibility, mental illness, and family. In the 1950s there was little help for someone like Summer. I would NOT have selected this book and yet, it will be one I keep in mind for a long time. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ #mmdchallenge2020 #mmdchallenge #insanity #mentalillness #love #family #ruthwhite#memoriesofsummer
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January 8, 2018
Heart-breaking story told by 13-year-old Lyric as she observes her older sister, Summer, go from being a beautiful, bright and lively girl to a troubled soul who is unable to care for herself or live a normal life due to the schizophrenia that overtakes her. Eventually Summer's father and sister realize that she cannot be left alone, may possibly harm herself or someone else, and that her medication is no longer effective. Lyric struggles with wanting to help her sister whom she loves, while at the same time feeling ashamed of her and unable to help or fix her. She goes from feelings of fear, worry and concern for Summer, to impatience, anger and resentment, which turns to guilt as she realizes her sister can't help or control her odd behavior. Lyric's memories of the Summer of the past haunt her as she tries to move on and make friends and a life for herself. I can't imagine what it must be like to see someone you love descend into mental illness like this. I think this would be a good book for young people (ages 12 and up) to help them understand and better sympathize with people who have mental illness. Another book along the same lines but written in first person is You Never Promised Me a Rose Garden.
October 12, 2018
I read this is one sitting tonight because I've been reading so much nonfiction and I was itching for some fiction. I got this book when I was in elementary school and never got around to reading it.
I didn't connect too much with the characters but I can respect the lessons and experiences this book might give to its younger readers. It tackles the subject of mental illness gently and with compassion. It also raises some questions about how we have historically treated people with mental illness and possibly guides the reader to consider how we might improve. Additionally, it creates compassion for both the individual with the illness as well as those who care for them.
I was originally going to give this book two stars just because I didn't connect with it strongly. However, I bumped it up to 3 after considering the questions it asks and discussion it might inspire, especially in young people.
I didn't connect too much with the characters but I can respect the lessons and experiences this book might give to its younger readers. It tackles the subject of mental illness gently and with compassion. It also raises some questions about how we have historically treated people with mental illness and possibly guides the reader to consider how we might improve. Additionally, it creates compassion for both the individual with the illness as well as those who care for them.
I was originally going to give this book two stars just because I didn't connect with it strongly. However, I bumped it up to 3 after considering the questions it asks and discussion it might inspire, especially in young people.
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September 11, 2022moving coming of age book sharing sweetness and anguish as girl's family moves from the south in the country to the big city of Detroit and as her sister develops schizophrenia. Window into a girl's mind in a time gone by maturing & dealing with racism, classism, prejudice, mental illness, grief of losing her mother and family financial struggles. I found it very interesting to read about a young girl in a different time moving to Michigan considering my parents did immigrate to the US to Detroit area & my Dad also worked for Chrysler as her father did. I recommend it, well written. The characters have stayed with me. I'd like to read her other book about living in the south.
December 31, 2024
I think This is a middle school level book as, I believe, all of this author’s books are. I’ve had this book since grade school myself. I think I got it from a book fair and just never read it. I was planning to give it away when something told me to give it another look before I did and I’m grateful. This was a beautifully, heartbreakingly, authentic depiction of having a loved one with schizophrenia. This book had me tearing up. The book discussion questions at the end are definitely way deeper than I would’ve been able to conjure during middle school.
May 2, 2023
Il romanzo più doloroso che io abbia letto tra quelli scritti da Ruth White, forse perché c'è una forte componente autobiografica. Infatti l'autrice, così come la giovane protagonista di queste pagine, Lyric, ha avuto una sorella in cui i disturbi mentali della schizofrenia si sono palesati in adolescenza. Immaginate lo strazio di vedere una ragazza come Summer, bella, affettuosa, intelligente e vivace, soccombere a un mostro che la stravolge dall'interno. L'ambientazione, così come negli altri libri della scrittrice (classe 1942), è quella degli anni Cinquanta e Sessanta negli Stati Uniti, tra la poverissima e paesaggisticamente magica Virginia degli Appalachi e la cittadina industriale di Flint, nel Michigan, dove il padre delle due ragazze trova infine lavoro come operaio presso la General Motors. Una lettura che condensa in poche pagine, ma riesce a descrivere alla perfezione, una malattia così terribile e le sue conseguenze, per chi ne soffre e per chi è intimamente legato a chi ne è affetto.
September 30, 2024
a little hard to read sometimes but not bad at all. the story progresses pretty straightforward but the end leaves you curious. dialogue is good. the main two characters are great and i do like the dad i just do not like the name Poppy because it sounds like a name not a title yk but that's nitpicky.
January 14, 2025
3.5 stars - honest telling of a family’s experience caring for someone developing a severe mental illness in the 50s & 60s. wild to see how so much has (and has not) changed since then. short book & quick read!
July 28, 2025
This book was beautiful, encapsulating the ups and downs of grief, mental illness, and parentification all in one. Although I can not speak for its accuracy of depicting schizophrenia I like to think the writing was very well done. Excellent fast paced read.
February 14, 2018
It was a great book if your into stories about mental health. It was a good eye opener to the life of someone who had a mental sister. Great suspence.
October 20, 2018
One of the best books I've read all year!
July 19, 2019
Amazing
October 10, 2019
Honest look at mental illness through the eyes of a teen sister who takes care of her sister.
December 22, 2019
This is such a sweet and sad book, it tore my heart open.
It is an amAzing book, but so, SO, sad
I loved it.
It reminded me of my own life experiences, to.
It is an amAzing book, but so, SO, sad
I loved it.
It reminded me of my own life experiences, to.
December 27, 2024
Such a raw depiction of mental illness. Home truly is where the heart lies.
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