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Silver Sisters #3
The Silver Moon of Summer
In the third and final book in the middle grade series that Newbery Honor winner Rita Williams-Garcia raved is “brimming with hilarity and sisterly hijinks,” Marigold, Zinnia, and Lily Silver return to Cape Cod for another unforgettable summer.
The Silver Sisters are heading to Pruet again to visit their Aunt Sunny, now-uncle Tony, and the rest of the friends they’ve made on Cape Cod over the past two years. This summer, Pruet is turning 300, and the town is planning a huge celebration. And on their first day back East, the sisters make a promise they hope will make this the best summer no fighting.
It shouldn’t be too hard. Each sister, after all, has her own focus during the visit. Marigold makes it her mission to befriend Chloe, the famous director Philip Rathbone’s niece, who is working on the set of her uncle’s upcoming project. Zinnie is busy creating an attention-grabbing blog to help her chances of becoming editor-in-chief of her school’s literary journal. And Lily has become quite the explorer with her science day camp group. All seems to be going smoothly until Zinnie’s growing friendship with Chloe leaves Marigold feeling hurt. Once again, her little sister has intruded on her life.
With the divide between the girls growing deeper, Marigold, Zinnie, and Lily worry it’s impossible for them to go a summer without a big fight. The same silver moon may hang in the night sky each year, but the sisters below it are changing in ways they have yet to understand. If they grow apart, more than a promise could be at risk. But if they grow together…the sky is the limit.
The Silver Sisters are heading to Pruet again to visit their Aunt Sunny, now-uncle Tony, and the rest of the friends they’ve made on Cape Cod over the past two years. This summer, Pruet is turning 300, and the town is planning a huge celebration. And on their first day back East, the sisters make a promise they hope will make this the best summer no fighting.
It shouldn’t be too hard. Each sister, after all, has her own focus during the visit. Marigold makes it her mission to befriend Chloe, the famous director Philip Rathbone’s niece, who is working on the set of her uncle’s upcoming project. Zinnie is busy creating an attention-grabbing blog to help her chances of becoming editor-in-chief of her school’s literary journal. And Lily has become quite the explorer with her science day camp group. All seems to be going smoothly until Zinnie’s growing friendship with Chloe leaves Marigold feeling hurt. Once again, her little sister has intruded on her life.
With the divide between the girls growing deeper, Marigold, Zinnie, and Lily worry it’s impossible for them to go a summer without a big fight. The same silver moon may hang in the night sky each year, but the sisters below it are changing in ways they have yet to understand. If they grow apart, more than a promise could be at risk. But if they grow together…the sky is the limit.
368 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2017
8 people are currently reading
324 people want to read
About the author
Leila Howland
9 books375 followersLeila Howland grew up in Providence, Rhode Island. A graduate of Georgetown University, Leila spent five years acting in New York where she was a company member of the award-winning Flea Theater in Tribeca. She is the author of the YA novels Nantucket Blue, for which she was named a Publisher’s Weekly Flying Start author, Nantucket Red, and Hello, Sunshine, as well as the Silver Sisters middle grade series and the upcoming Rapunzel and the Lost Lagoon. Leila now lives in Los Angeles.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
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April 28, 2020The Silver Sisters are back in Pruet for another unforgettable summer! Marigold, Lily, and Zinnie are visiting Aunt Sunny, Uncle Tom, and all of the other friends they have made while in Pruet. This summer, the town is turning 300 years old, so the town is celebrating by hosting a tricentennial. To make this summer even more interesting, the sisters made a promise at the beginning of vacation...no fighting! Since everyone has a focus this summer, they believe it shouldn't be too hard. Marigold is hoping to befriend Philip Rathbone's niece whom will be attending the same school as her come fall. Zinnie is busy trying to impress her school with an amazing blog! Lily has become a natural explorer and scientist because of the Science Day Camp she has been attending. But soon, Marigold feels betrayed by Zinnie when Rathbone's niece seems to like Zinnie more than her. The summer looks rough for the girls, but can they pull it together and still make it the most unforgettable summer ever?
This was cute as was the second and first. The book isn't very exciting anymore because we know where they are going, and who they are seeing, and it just doesn't seem fresh. I wouldn't say it's like deja vu, but it's close. There was a kiss in the first book, no kiss in the second book, and then...God only knows how many in this book! They are children and all they care about are boyfriends and kisses. Also, the fact that Lily was smarter than the two older sisters made Zinnie and Marigold look stupid. I mean, Marigold wasn't the best character for me, so making her look stupid gave me more reason to dislike her. The relationships in this book confused me so much. They might as well be 8 years old with their first crushes, not knowing what a boyfriend is. Overall, I didn't like it. I liked the second one the most and this one the least.
QUESTIONS:
So, Lindsey just disappeared?
Is Zinnie the editor of her school journal?
How old was Lily in this book because she sounded very smart in this book?
What happened with Pilar and the handbag from the last book?
This was cute as was the second and first. The book isn't very exciting anymore because we know where they are going, and who they are seeing, and it just doesn't seem fresh. I wouldn't say it's like deja vu, but it's close. There was a kiss in the first book, no kiss in the second book, and then...God only knows how many in this book! They are children and all they care about are boyfriends and kisses. Also, the fact that Lily was smarter than the two older sisters made Zinnie and Marigold look stupid. I mean, Marigold wasn't the best character for me, so making her look stupid gave me more reason to dislike her. The relationships in this book confused me so much. They might as well be 8 years old with their first crushes, not knowing what a boyfriend is. Overall, I didn't like it. I liked the second one the most and this one the least.
QUESTIONS:
So, Lindsey just disappeared?
Is Zinnie the editor of her school journal?
How old was Lily in this book because she sounded very smart in this book?
What happened with Pilar and the handbag from the last book?
May 9, 2021
Pretty sweet. I liked it. It never shows whether Zinnie gets to be the writing winner though!
I would recommend for ages 8+
I would recommend for ages 8+
March 19, 2021
it was really good and maybe one of my favorite books. (but i still think dork diaries are better)
November 1, 2017
If I could rate this book one hundred stars, I would. I have a Harry Potter and Warriors obsession, but other than that, this series is my number one favorite series of all time. I am SOOOOO disappointed that this is the last book in the series. I think that there should be Silver Sisters books about the other season as well. I recommend this book for all ages. I loved it so much, and I think you will too!!!;)
January 31, 2023
I wasn't sure about this series when I started it. The first book was sweet but not terribly substantial, and didn't challenge its more simplistic assumptions.
By the third book, the Silver sisters have grown and matured, and I'm happy to report that the stories have, too. Characters and themes are more nuanced. Other reviewers were annoyed by the girls' crushes, but girls aren't less deep because they become interested in romance, and I thought it was really nice to see a story that was so determined to explore first crushes in such a healthy, realistic way. The sisters have more sibling conflicts to struggle with, but they're more grounded and the girls have gotten better at honest communication. They want to be kind to each other while wrestling with anger at things that seem really unfair. And Lily has a lot more screen time, which I think benefits the story. It's a slow arc, but the lovely setting and true-to-life emotional beats pulled me forward without ever boring me. My main complaint is that Peter is lacking a lot as a crush-partner for Marigold, and I wish we'd acknowledged that more. He's not a bad kid by any means, but he seems to be mostly in his own head, while she's bending over backwards to try to sooth his feelings at all times. This is a pretty common dynamic in adult relationships and I wish we'd pushed back a bit in this story to show girls that while it's normal for other people to make mistakes and have messy feelings, being paired up with another person doesn't mean that their moods are now your responsibility.
Once again, the setting is gorgeous if a bit too idyllic, and we certainly aren't here to tackle any profound social issues. But the experiences of children and teenagers are treated with respect by the adults around them. Zinnie's passion for writing, interpreted through a blog this time around, is a serious story element encouraged by her parents and aunt. Speaking of which, emotionally healthy adults? We seem to have several of them! Particularly Aunt Sunny, who is a fantastic listener, intervenes on behalf of her nieces, makes rules when necessary, is never punitive or harsh, and is willing to change for their sakes. Great example of an adult knowing how to create safety and give guidance without dominating or assuming the worst. The moral of this story, if there is one, is that it's good to let yourself have feelings. That feelings aren't shameful, wrong, or embarrassing. In a world where young girls are so often made to feel weak for caring, for crying, for wanting, I LOVED this. The girls have to learn how to deal with those feelings in appropriate ways that don't cause harm, but stifling the feelings and ignoring them is not the answer. Great stuff.
Also! This book gets serious props from me for perhaps THE most consensual, realistic, charming, down-to-earth, believably-awkward-but-still-nice first kiss between middle schoolers that I've ever seen. I'm not much of a romantic, but children absolutely deserve models for early romance beyond "and then somehow we were just kissing I guess" or "and then one of us kissed the other and then ran away or freaked out or asked retroactive permission once it was already too late," which is what I see in 99% of even the most socially aware contemporary middle grade fiction. We had real consent in this book, people! This is not a drill!
By the third book, the Silver sisters have grown and matured, and I'm happy to report that the stories have, too. Characters and themes are more nuanced. Other reviewers were annoyed by the girls' crushes, but girls aren't less deep because they become interested in romance, and I thought it was really nice to see a story that was so determined to explore first crushes in such a healthy, realistic way. The sisters have more sibling conflicts to struggle with, but they're more grounded and the girls have gotten better at honest communication. They want to be kind to each other while wrestling with anger at things that seem really unfair. And Lily has a lot more screen time, which I think benefits the story. It's a slow arc, but the lovely setting and true-to-life emotional beats pulled me forward without ever boring me. My main complaint is that Peter is lacking a lot as a crush-partner for Marigold, and I wish we'd acknowledged that more. He's not a bad kid by any means, but he seems to be mostly in his own head, while she's bending over backwards to try to sooth his feelings at all times. This is a pretty common dynamic in adult relationships and I wish we'd pushed back a bit in this story to show girls that while it's normal for other people to make mistakes and have messy feelings, being paired up with another person doesn't mean that their moods are now your responsibility.
Once again, the setting is gorgeous if a bit too idyllic, and we certainly aren't here to tackle any profound social issues. But the experiences of children and teenagers are treated with respect by the adults around them. Zinnie's passion for writing, interpreted through a blog this time around, is a serious story element encouraged by her parents and aunt. Speaking of which, emotionally healthy adults? We seem to have several of them! Particularly Aunt Sunny, who is a fantastic listener, intervenes on behalf of her nieces, makes rules when necessary, is never punitive or harsh, and is willing to change for their sakes. Great example of an adult knowing how to create safety and give guidance without dominating or assuming the worst. The moral of this story, if there is one, is that it's good to let yourself have feelings. That feelings aren't shameful, wrong, or embarrassing. In a world where young girls are so often made to feel weak for caring, for crying, for wanting, I LOVED this. The girls have to learn how to deal with those feelings in appropriate ways that don't cause harm, but stifling the feelings and ignoring them is not the answer. Great stuff.
Also! This book gets serious props from me for perhaps THE most consensual, realistic, charming, down-to-earth, believably-awkward-but-still-nice first kiss between middle schoolers that I've ever seen. I'm not much of a romantic, but children absolutely deserve models for early romance beyond "and then somehow we were just kissing I guess" or "and then one of us kissed the other and then ran away or freaked out or asked retroactive permission once it was already too late," which is what I see in 99% of even the most socially aware contemporary middle grade fiction. We had real consent in this book, people! This is not a drill!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Title: The Silver Moon of Summer
Series: The Silver Sister Book #3
Author: Leila Howland
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Publisher: Harper Audio Children’s/Harper Collins
Genre: Middle School Friendship
Pub Date: April 7, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages: 368
The LA Silver Sisters Marigold, Lily, and Zinnie are visiting Aunt Sunny back in Pruet on Cape Cod for the summer as Pruet is turning 300 years old, and the town will be celebrating a tricentennial.
The sisters have vowed this summer they are going to get along’ and no arguing as they really care about one another and want to really try to be kind to each other.
Marigold is hoping to put her past friendship troubles behind.
She is excited when she meets Chloe the niece of movie star director Philip Rathbone is in town for ten days to do a local production and will be using some locals to add local flavor – some will have speaking parts.
Marigold and Peter have hit it off and seem to be more than friends. When Rathbone wants to do a movie; Peter is a local and not happy and thinks it will ruin the regatta as well as other tricentennial activities. Marigold has convinced him that ten days isn’t long and he should try out for a part.
Marigold is excited when she meets Philip Rathbone’s niece Chloe. She finds out they are the same age, and both will be attending the Preforming Arts School in LA. However, Chloe is more interested in being friends with her little sister Zinne. Although Zinne wants to be editor- in- chief of her school's literary journal so is spending her time working on a summer blog.
Marigold is disappointed with Chloe preferring Zinne.
Lily is worried that her sisters are going to have a summer disagreement!
Story continues as we follow the girls with summer activities and continue to deal with typical pre-teen angsts.
I just Love Aunt Sunny and her words of wisdom.
Although I am not the target audience for this story but as a Guidance Counselor, I always like to read stories I believe students would enjoy.
I enjoyed this and am sure I will be recommending this to students.
I want to thank NetGalley. Harper Audio Children’s and Harper Collins for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 7, 2026
Series: The Silver Sister Book #3
Author: Leila Howland
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Stephanie Richardson
Publisher: Harper Audio Children’s/Harper Collins
Genre: Middle School Friendship
Pub Date: April 7, 2026
My Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages: 368
The LA Silver Sisters Marigold, Lily, and Zinnie are visiting Aunt Sunny back in Pruet on Cape Cod for the summer as Pruet is turning 300 years old, and the town will be celebrating a tricentennial.
The sisters have vowed this summer they are going to get along’ and no arguing as they really care about one another and want to really try to be kind to each other.
Marigold is hoping to put her past friendship troubles behind.
She is excited when she meets Chloe the niece of movie star director Philip Rathbone is in town for ten days to do a local production and will be using some locals to add local flavor – some will have speaking parts.
Marigold and Peter have hit it off and seem to be more than friends. When Rathbone wants to do a movie; Peter is a local and not happy and thinks it will ruin the regatta as well as other tricentennial activities. Marigold has convinced him that ten days isn’t long and he should try out for a part.
Marigold is excited when she meets Philip Rathbone’s niece Chloe. She finds out they are the same age, and both will be attending the Preforming Arts School in LA. However, Chloe is more interested in being friends with her little sister Zinne. Although Zinne wants to be editor- in- chief of her school's literary journal so is spending her time working on a summer blog.
Marigold is disappointed with Chloe preferring Zinne.
Lily is worried that her sisters are going to have a summer disagreement!
Story continues as we follow the girls with summer activities and continue to deal with typical pre-teen angsts.
I just Love Aunt Sunny and her words of wisdom.
Although I am not the target audience for this story but as a Guidance Counselor, I always like to read stories I believe students would enjoy.
I enjoyed this and am sure I will be recommending this to students.
I want to thank NetGalley. Harper Audio Children’s and Harper Collins for this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 7, 2026
July 24, 2024
The Sliver sisters are back in this third installment of the Silver series. And this time they have more to learn about each other and themselves than they ever thought possible.
While the sisters are helping with the town of Pruet's 300th birthday, Marigold is hoping to put her past friendship troubles behind when she meets the niece of movie star director Philip Rathbone. But when it becomes clear that Chloe is more interested in being friends with her little sister Zinne, Marigold is heartbroken. Meanwhile Zinne is determined to become editor in chief of her school's literary journal if she can blow it out of the water with her summer blog posts.
As the silver moon above them wanes and changes, these three sisters will have to try and put their differences aside if they ever want the town's big birthday celebration to succeed.
While the sisters are helping with the town of Pruet's 300th birthday, Marigold is hoping to put her past friendship troubles behind when she meets the niece of movie star director Philip Rathbone. But when it becomes clear that Chloe is more interested in being friends with her little sister Zinne, Marigold is heartbroken. Meanwhile Zinne is determined to become editor in chief of her school's literary journal if she can blow it out of the water with her summer blog posts.
As the silver moon above them wanes and changes, these three sisters will have to try and put their differences aside if they ever want the town's big birthday celebration to succeed.
April 16, 2024
This is the third book in the Silver Sisters series. The Silver Sisters (Marigold, Zinnia, and Lily) are back in Pruet, Massachusetts visiting their beloved Aunt Sunny. This summer is exciting because Pruet is celebrating its tricentennial so they get to help with the planning. The summer is also special because Aunt Sunny takes the girls on Marigold's "Fun 14th" which is a camping trip tradition to celebrate turning 14.
This coming-of-age book celebrates sisterhood, friendship, family, and to be yourself. This series is probably good for ages 8-12. The only thing my daughter and I didn't like was the super long sentences. 4/5
Check out Fueled by Coffee and Books for more reviews :)
This coming-of-age book celebrates sisterhood, friendship, family, and to be yourself. This series is probably good for ages 8-12. The only thing my daughter and I didn't like was the super long sentences. 4/5
Check out Fueled by Coffee and Books for more reviews :)
April 1, 2026
I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an audio ARC.
This is another fun read in this series. I really enjoyed how this series has tackled growing up and struggles and anxieties that young readers often have. The sisters are all easy to relate to and I was happy to see a little more focus on Lily in this book. I do still love that there is a lot of emphasis on Marigold's point of view where she can seem like she is shallow, but really is worried about not having any friends. Zinnia is also flawed in similar ways to Marigold as well and I enjoy the balance is shown. I also love the narrator foe this book and it really feels she does an excellent job portraying all the characters.
This is another fun read in this series. I really enjoyed how this series has tackled growing up and struggles and anxieties that young readers often have. The sisters are all easy to relate to and I was happy to see a little more focus on Lily in this book. I do still love that there is a lot of emphasis on Marigold's point of view where she can seem like she is shallow, but really is worried about not having any friends. Zinnia is also flawed in similar ways to Marigold as well and I enjoy the balance is shown. I also love the narrator foe this book and it really feels she does an excellent job portraying all the characters.
July 13, 2017
I love these books and I'm so sad that this is the last one. It's been so much fun to revisit the Silver sisters and Pruet every summer. They have all grown up so much and I'll miss not knowing what they're doing next summer. Is it to much to hope for an update set a few years in the future, maybe for Lily's fun fourteenth?
June 20, 2021
The Silver Moon of Summer is the final book in the Silver Sisters series. The Pruet setting is still nice, but I didn't find the plot the most engaging here, and Marigold and Zinnie started to get annoying. I wish Lily had been given her own chapters! Howland also continues to overuse "said" and to use "spaz" as an insult, which goes unchallenged.
August 16, 2021
If you have ever had jealousy with a sister or sibling over someone like I have, you will find this book very realistic. It is a great story and sisterhood is the main take away from this story. I love how they change perspective because then you can understand how each sister is feeling. I love all the books in this series and recommend this book to anyone with or without siblings.
June 16, 2017
I'm so sad this trilogy has ended! I absolutely love the Silver sisters and their story and adventures are so inspiring. I definitely identify with Lilly (the scientist) and Zinnie (the writer) the most!
June 17, 2017
Great addition to this series. I love that each of the girls is developing her own identity in the family. The conflict is still there between the older sisters but they are also growing into their own space.
July 19, 2017
5 stars to this book and the series as a whole. Loved every minute with the Silver sisters, their Aunt Sunny, and all the wonderful characters in Pruet on Cape Cod! Will miss them, but it's best to end on a high note!
September 5, 2017
This is a feel good book about a family who goes on vacation. The siblings learn that boys and friends will come and go but sisters stay forever. The book proves that with loyal sisters and not so loyal friends. Very elementary themes and situations. Grades 3-5. Optional Purchase.
August 23, 2020
I really liked this book! I love that Zinnia showed her feelings for Max, and that they kissed. I wish Chloe would have told Marigold herself that she didn’t really poke hanging out with her but that’s okay. I could easily see these books being turned into movies.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 23, 2017
Just as always super enchanting and full of love, friendship and wise things to learn for people of every age.
July 31, 2017
I really love this series. Perfect summer read.
August 13, 2017
Ah, super cute and a satisfying conclusion. Leila Howland has the small beach town setting down to a science.
Review to come! :)
Review to come! :)
September 22, 2017
As much as I loved the first two books in the series, I found this one to be lacking in the same amount charm and heart. The two older sisters seem whiny and obsessed by boys. I just lost interest.
February 12, 2018
These are always sweet although a little predictable.
February 8, 2020
I'm sorry to see the Silver Sisters series end. These are great summertime stories! Highly recommended.
April 28, 2020
I loved it!!!!!
October 5, 2020
I LOVE THIS SERIES
This book is by far my favorite
thank you Leila Howland
This book is by far my favorite
thank you Leila Howland
November 12, 2020
A satisfying finale to this wonderful trilogy that will leave you smiling.
June 15, 2021
Seriously helps me get into the freedom of summer mindset
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December 29, 2021Very cute book, well written. Defiantly suggest this books for tweens! I read this book some years ago along with the other two and I loved them!
February 14, 2022
This books last chapter is amazing I mean when Peter kisses Marigold I got shivers and when Max and Zinne kiss I wanted to be Zinne.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2022
I refuse to accept that this is the end to the series, I need more of the Silver Sisters!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews