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The Summer of Broken Things
Fourteen-year-old Avery Armisted is athletic, rich, and pretty. Sixteen-year-old Kayla Butts is known as “butt-girl” at school. The two girls were friends as little kids, but that’s ancient history now. So it’s a huge surprise when Avery’s father offers to bring Kayla along on a summer trip to Spain. Avery is horrified that her father thinks he can choose her friends—and make her miss soccer camp. Kayla struggles just to imagine leaving the confines of her small town.
But in Spain, the two uncover a secret their families had hidden from both of them their entire lives. Maybe the girls can put aside their differences and work through it together. Or maybe the lies and betrayal will only push them—and their families—farther apart.
But in Spain, the two uncover a secret their families had hidden from both of them their entire lives. Maybe the girls can put aside their differences and work through it together. Or maybe the lies and betrayal will only push them—and their families—farther apart.
393 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2018
184 people are currently reading
4753 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Peterson Haddix
133 books6,358 followersMargaret Peterson Haddix grew up on a farm near Washington Court House, Ohio. She graduated from Miami University (of Ohio) with degrees in English/journalism, English/creative writing and history. Before her first book was published, she worked as a newspaper copy editor in Fort Wayne, Indiana; a newspaper reporter in Indianapolis; and a community college instructor and freelance writer in Danville, Illinois.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
She has since written more than 25 books for kids and teens, including Running Out of Time; Don’t You Dare Read This, Mrs. Dunphrey; Leaving Fishers; Just Ella; Turnabout; Takeoffs and Landings; The Girl with 500 Middle Names; Because of Anya; Escape from Memory; Say What?; The House on the Gulf; Double Identity; Dexter the Tough; Uprising; Palace of Mirrors; Claim to Fame; the Shadow Children series; and the Missing series. She also wrote Into the Gauntlet, the tenth book in the 39 Clues series. Her books have been honored with New York Times bestseller status, the International Reading Association’s Children’s Book Award; American Library Association Best Book and Quick Pick for Reluctant Young Adult Readers notations; and more than a dozen state reader’s choice awards.
Haddix and her husband, Doug, now live in Columbus, Ohio, with their two children.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 448 reviews
March 3, 2018
This is not my typical genre. I rarely read YA books unless they have romance in them. The Summer of Broken Things is more of a coming of age family drama. The main characters are fourteen and sixteen and they felt true to their actual age. This made them seem young compared to many characters in YA novels, but I feel most of the time authors write characters who come across as being too mature for their actual age. Content-wise this was very clean with no swearing or sex or anything objectionable.
There were parts of this that felt very authentic and then portions that felt a little unbelievable. This book hooked me and kept me reading which says something as I put down a lot of books that don't hold my interest. This had no romance and no real action but I found myself connecting with the characters and wanting to find out their secrets.
Content: Clean
There were parts of this that felt very authentic and then portions that felt a little unbelievable. This book hooked me and kept me reading which says something as I put down a lot of books that don't hold my interest. This had no romance and no real action but I found myself connecting with the characters and wanting to find out their secrets.
Content: Clean
March 30, 2021
3.5 Stars
I was very intrigued by The Summer of Broken Things when I first heard of it, especially since it is set in beautiful Spain. It is a story about family secrets, and it contains two main characters who change drastically throughout the book. I did find the plot to be predictable, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment too much. I would recommend this one to younger readers looking for a summer read with a message.
Full Review on The Candid Cover
I was very intrigued by The Summer of Broken Things when I first heard of it, especially since it is set in beautiful Spain. It is a story about family secrets, and it contains two main characters who change drastically throughout the book. I did find the plot to be predictable, but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment too much. I would recommend this one to younger readers looking for a summer read with a message.
Full Review on The Candid Cover
February 9, 2025
through the beginning and the middle of the book, it was kinda repetitive, but i loved the ending. i liked how Kayla and Avery's relationship suddenly transitioned into a really good relationship between them and how they acted around each other.
July 26, 2019
DISCLAIMER: I received a complimentary copy of THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS in exchange for an honest review
1.5 Stars
HNNNNGGGG
Look, I didn’t go into THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS with the sole intention to tear it to shreds, I genuinely wanted to enjoy it.
But...it was a big fat yikes.
Where do I begin with this book?
Listen, Margaret Peterson is probably my favorite sci-fi author of all time and I’ll always love her science fiction. That being said, I’ve now read two of her contemporary books and I didn’t enjoy either of them.
Maybe we can start with the things I actually liked about TSOBT because it wasn’t a complete dumpster fire...
I did really like Andrei and Dragomeir. I believe they were the only characters that I didn’t feel like pushing off a cliff throughout the book. I just really loved their interactions with Kayla and their goofy personalities.
I also liked that there was this whole passage in the book, where we’re basically shown that Kayla knows the difference between a healthy relationship and a toxic one, and I feel like that’s something we don’t get in YA fiction.
Now, onto the bad.
I think the biggest thing that did it for me was the characters - I just couldn’t get into them.
Look, when it comes to plot, characters, or writing style, I will always go for characters. The plot could be non-existent, and the writing style could be mediocre, but if you get me hooked on your characters, I’ll like the book (so long as it isn’t problematic). Obviously, having an interesting plot and a captivating writing style is ideal, but if I had to choose one, it’d definitely be characters.
TSOBT didn’t have good main characters.
I literally couldn’t care less about Avery. Literally, when her life was flipped-turned upside-down (*ahem* THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR) I didn’t care. I feel like I was supposed to be crying during her. “struggles”, but I just didn’t feel sympathetic. At all. She almost felt...over dramatic? And literally, anytime Kayla tried to bring up how awful Avery was being, we just brushed it off as, “Oh, it’s just because she’s fourteen.” No.
And Kayla was slightly more bearable, but there were a lot of times where I was just so irritated with her as well.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love it when characters have their flaws. Or they start the book/series out as being someone annoying and unlikeable, and develop into good characters. (Natalie Kurtsman from THE PERFECT SCORE and Alexia from BECAUSE OF MR. TERUPT are fantastic examples of this.)
I almost feel like so much of the focus was put on the fact that they were so different from each other, rather than developing them into interesting, likable people. Like, EVERYTHING was opposite for them: Avery was blonde, Kayla was brunette; Avery was pretty, Kayla wasn’t; Avery was thin, Kayla wasn’t; Avery was athletic, Kayla wasn’t; Avery was rich, Kayla was poor; etc.
See what I mean?
It was also ridiculously boring. Like, for the first half of the book, nothing happened. And then we hit the halfway point, and it felt like we were just going to throw a bunch of wet toilet paper at the wall to see what would stick. And nothing did.
There was also some mild slut-shaming and racism from Kayla’s POV and I wasn’t a huge fan of that. Think I'm joking? Some Examples:
"Avery's got stretchy black leggings on - yoga pants? - and they cling to her legs just right, and her long blue shirt blouses out just right, kind of like a minidress, but classy, not slutty, because of the leggings underneath."
"And you looked at me (...). Like I wanted to. Like I was a slut."
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of Kayla’s “transformation”. It felt really, “She’s fat and ugly and she has no friends at the beginning of the book but at the end, she’s pretty and has friends because she’s skinny”. It just didn’t feel like a message I could support.
I just- I think I’m done with Margaret Peterson Haddix’s contemporary. And no, I don’t think it’s a case of, “Her new books aren’t as good as the old ones” because I just read THE STRANGERS a few months ago and CHILDREN OF JUBILEE a couple weeks ago, and those were amazing. I just think that her contemporary isn’t something I’m a huge fan of.
All in all, not a complete dumpster fire, but definitely could have been better.
1.5 Stars
HNNNNGGGG
Look, I didn’t go into THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS with the sole intention to tear it to shreds, I genuinely wanted to enjoy it.
But...it was a big fat yikes.
Where do I begin with this book?
Listen, Margaret Peterson is probably my favorite sci-fi author of all time and I’ll always love her science fiction. That being said, I’ve now read two of her contemporary books and I didn’t enjoy either of them.
Maybe we can start with the things I actually liked about TSOBT because it wasn’t a complete dumpster fire...
I did really like Andrei and Dragomeir. I believe they were the only characters that I didn’t feel like pushing off a cliff throughout the book. I just really loved their interactions with Kayla and their goofy personalities.
I also liked that there was this whole passage in the book, where we’re basically shown that Kayla knows the difference between a healthy relationship and a toxic one, and I feel like that’s something we don’t get in YA fiction.
Now, onto the bad.
I think the biggest thing that did it for me was the characters - I just couldn’t get into them.
Look, when it comes to plot, characters, or writing style, I will always go for characters. The plot could be non-existent, and the writing style could be mediocre, but if you get me hooked on your characters, I’ll like the book (so long as it isn’t problematic). Obviously, having an interesting plot and a captivating writing style is ideal, but if I had to choose one, it’d definitely be characters.
TSOBT didn’t have good main characters.
I literally couldn’t care less about Avery. Literally, when her life was flipped-turned upside-down (*ahem* THE FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR) I didn’t care. I feel like I was supposed to be crying during her. “struggles”, but I just didn’t feel sympathetic. At all. She almost felt...over dramatic? And literally, anytime Kayla tried to bring up how awful Avery was being, we just brushed it off as, “Oh, it’s just because she’s fourteen.” No.
And Kayla was slightly more bearable, but there were a lot of times where I was just so irritated with her as well.
Now, don’t get me wrong. I love it when characters have their flaws. Or they start the book/series out as being someone annoying and unlikeable, and develop into good characters. (Natalie Kurtsman from THE PERFECT SCORE and Alexia from BECAUSE OF MR. TERUPT are fantastic examples of this.)
I almost feel like so much of the focus was put on the fact that they were so different from each other, rather than developing them into interesting, likable people. Like, EVERYTHING was opposite for them: Avery was blonde, Kayla was brunette; Avery was pretty, Kayla wasn’t; Avery was thin, Kayla wasn’t; Avery was athletic, Kayla wasn’t; Avery was rich, Kayla was poor; etc.
See what I mean?
It was also ridiculously boring. Like, for the first half of the book, nothing happened. And then we hit the halfway point, and it felt like we were just going to throw a bunch of wet toilet paper at the wall to see what would stick. And nothing did.
There was also some mild slut-shaming and racism from Kayla’s POV and I wasn’t a huge fan of that. Think I'm joking? Some Examples:
"Avery's got stretchy black leggings on - yoga pants? - and they cling to her legs just right, and her long blue shirt blouses out just right, kind of like a minidress, but classy, not slutty, because of the leggings underneath."
"And you looked at me (...). Like I wanted to. Like I was a slut."
I also wasn’t the biggest fan of Kayla’s “transformation”. It felt really, “She’s fat and ugly and she has no friends at the beginning of the book but at the end, she’s pretty and has friends because she’s skinny”. It just didn’t feel like a message I could support.
I just- I think I’m done with Margaret Peterson Haddix’s contemporary. And no, I don’t think it’s a case of, “Her new books aren’t as good as the old ones” because I just read THE STRANGERS a few months ago and CHILDREN OF JUBILEE a couple weeks ago, and those were amazing. I just think that her contemporary isn’t something I’m a huge fan of.
All in all, not a complete dumpster fire, but definitely could have been better.
February 20, 2018
You can find more of my reviews at Forever 17 Books.
The Summer of Broken Things is just that, a story about two girls whose worlds seem to collide and fall apart while on summer vacation together, and the ways it changed them.
Avery’s father must travel to Spain for the summer and insists that not only she come with him, but that they bring along a girl she once knew as a young child, Kayla. Both girls couldn’t be more different from each other and Avery feels a little resentment that Kayla is tagging along instead of one of her friends. Tension only gets worse when a secret is revealed that connects the girls in ways they didn’t expect. Now the girls must overcome their feelings of hurt and betrayal and find a way to survive the summer together.
I love a story with flawed characters. I love watching them make mistakes and learn and grow from them. Teens are practically hard-wired to be a little selfish and moody. I remember those days and cringe, to be perfectly honest. With that said, it can be a little difficult to read when a character is overly shown in such a light and for much of the novel and that’s where I was with The Summer of Broken Things. The novel goes back and forth in the POV of Avery and Kayla. Avery is very disappointed that she’s not spending the summer playing soccer with her friends and constantly took it out on Kayla. And when her world is seemingly turned upside down, it only got worse. I tried very hard to empathize with Avery but she didn’t make it easy and often came off as completely unlikable. She’s very spoiled and somewhat mean, desperately needing some humility and empathy in her life. There was a bit of growth by the end but I can’t say I was completely satisfied with her character’s overall progression. On the flip side, Kayla was much more my speed. She had trouble fitting in with her peers, instead making friends with the elderly she meets at the nursing home where her mother works. She was meek and awkward but sweet and understanding. She also takes the secret hard and struggles a great deal with how to handle it. But by the end she opens up and holds her own in ways she hadn’t before, with much more confidence in herself. There are quite a few squabble between the girls for much of the book but I was somewhat satisfied with how their relationship resolved by the close.
I really think this is a story about two girls thrown together, needing to learn life lessons that the other has already conquered. There’s a strong theme of being thankful for what you have and also that no family is perfect. The plot was overall likable and the twist did bring something different to the table but when you have a story relying heavily on the characters, it can be tough to get through when you can’t connect and I think that was my main issue.
The Summer of Broken Things is just that, a story about two girls whose worlds seem to collide and fall apart while on summer vacation together, and the ways it changed them.
Avery’s father must travel to Spain for the summer and insists that not only she come with him, but that they bring along a girl she once knew as a young child, Kayla. Both girls couldn’t be more different from each other and Avery feels a little resentment that Kayla is tagging along instead of one of her friends. Tension only gets worse when a secret is revealed that connects the girls in ways they didn’t expect. Now the girls must overcome their feelings of hurt and betrayal and find a way to survive the summer together.
I love a story with flawed characters. I love watching them make mistakes and learn and grow from them. Teens are practically hard-wired to be a little selfish and moody. I remember those days and cringe, to be perfectly honest. With that said, it can be a little difficult to read when a character is overly shown in such a light and for much of the novel and that’s where I was with The Summer of Broken Things. The novel goes back and forth in the POV of Avery and Kayla. Avery is very disappointed that she’s not spending the summer playing soccer with her friends and constantly took it out on Kayla. And when her world is seemingly turned upside down, it only got worse. I tried very hard to empathize with Avery but she didn’t make it easy and often came off as completely unlikable. She’s very spoiled and somewhat mean, desperately needing some humility and empathy in her life. There was a bit of growth by the end but I can’t say I was completely satisfied with her character’s overall progression. On the flip side, Kayla was much more my speed. She had trouble fitting in with her peers, instead making friends with the elderly she meets at the nursing home where her mother works. She was meek and awkward but sweet and understanding. She also takes the secret hard and struggles a great deal with how to handle it. But by the end she opens up and holds her own in ways she hadn’t before, with much more confidence in herself. There are quite a few squabble between the girls for much of the book but I was somewhat satisfied with how their relationship resolved by the close.
I really think this is a story about two girls thrown together, needing to learn life lessons that the other has already conquered. There’s a strong theme of being thankful for what you have and also that no family is perfect. The plot was overall likable and the twist did bring something different to the table but when you have a story relying heavily on the characters, it can be tough to get through when you can’t connect and I think that was my main issue.
April 16, 2018
4.5 STARS
Avery can’t believe her father is dragging her to Spain for the summer with Kayla, a girl she knew as a child. Kayla, grateful for the opportunity to escape her rural town, comatose father and job at a nursing home, doesn’t know how she’ll endure spoiled Avery’s whining. When a secret reveals the girls’ connection (no, not the obvious one you think you’ll see coming) neither will be the same.
Margaret Peterson Haddix hooked me from the first chapter. Avery’s insufferable complaints, were both annoying and endearing. I knew she had a lot of growing to do throughout THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS. I more easily identified with serious Kayla’s story. Neither girl was a stereotype, both had positive and negative qualities. When Avery wanted to visit the Holocaust Museum, I realized she had more depth than I initially assumed. I was also glad to see that Kayla wasn’t a Pollyanna. I became so attached to both Kayla and Avery, I found myself hoping that Haddix would consider writing a sequel.
Older middle grade and younger young adult readers will probably enjoy THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS more than older ones expecting more of an edge.
Avery can’t believe her father is dragging her to Spain for the summer with Kayla, a girl she knew as a child. Kayla, grateful for the opportunity to escape her rural town, comatose father and job at a nursing home, doesn’t know how she’ll endure spoiled Avery’s whining. When a secret reveals the girls’ connection (no, not the obvious one you think you’ll see coming) neither will be the same.
Margaret Peterson Haddix hooked me from the first chapter. Avery’s insufferable complaints, were both annoying and endearing. I knew she had a lot of growing to do throughout THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS. I more easily identified with serious Kayla’s story. Neither girl was a stereotype, both had positive and negative qualities. When Avery wanted to visit the Holocaust Museum, I realized she had more depth than I initially assumed. I was also glad to see that Kayla wasn’t a Pollyanna. I became so attached to both Kayla and Avery, I found myself hoping that Haddix would consider writing a sequel.
Older middle grade and younger young adult readers will probably enjoy THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS more than older ones expecting more of an edge.
November 2, 2023
It was pretty good not the best though. I hated Avery through most of it but she had a bit of character development so at the end she's much better and I LOVE how it ended It was so heart warming and it was nice. I love dragomir and andrei sm they are so cute and I wish we had more of them😭 I love Susan too she's pretty cool and again, I wish we got more of her, but overall it was pretty good, also it was a bit too religious for me, it made a lot of references to God and praying and things like that, and that's just not for me
June 6, 2018
*i was sent this book in exchange for an honest review.*
I gotta say, i had a lot of issues with this book. The fat rep felt ... not great and I’d love to hear more opinions on that if you’ve read it. There was a lot of oddly “naive” racism in this book from our main characters to their grandparents and sometimes random strangers. The two POV main characters are both just REALLY annoying.
I found that the FIRST big problem/secret/whatever we learn frankly shouldn’t have been as big of a deal as everyone made it out to be?? And for so long ????
All that being said, I think SOME of those issues were resolved by the end of the book through character development - however not all of them were.
All that said, it was a FAST read when i would choose to pick it up! I also say and finished the last 1/3 of the book in one sitting because i hit the climax and needed to know everything.
I also loved the Bulgarians.
I gotta say, i had a lot of issues with this book. The fat rep felt ... not great and I’d love to hear more opinions on that if you’ve read it. There was a lot of oddly “naive” racism in this book from our main characters to their grandparents and sometimes random strangers. The two POV main characters are both just REALLY annoying.
I found that the FIRST big problem/secret/whatever we learn frankly shouldn’t have been as big of a deal as everyone made it out to be?? And for so long ????
All that being said, I think SOME of those issues were resolved by the end of the book through character development - however not all of them were.
All that said, it was a FAST read when i would choose to pick it up! I also say and finished the last 1/3 of the book in one sitting because i hit the climax and needed to know everything.
I also loved the Bulgarians.
August 7, 2019
I hated the two main characters for 90% of the book. I actually liked the end I just wish the character development had happened naturally instead of being a huge switch. I mean the characters had improved over the course of the book but I still hated them both until the author suddenly decided they were good people.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 30, 2018
Ugggghhhhh MPH, you are so much better than this!
Both characters are such cliches, it hurt to read. The Spoiled Teen was incredibly unlikeable and the Country Teen was just cringeworthy.
I love twists, but the main twist was so... not that big of a deal? The second twist was great and perfectly written and awesome. THAT is why I read MPH.
My personal rant:
This book made it seem like nursing home residents in the country are all kindly people with stories and advice to share, whereas Europe has pro-Hitler people. If a book is going to be written, especially at this particular point in USA/World history, it might be good to take a hard look at who is open to differing religions, cultures, races, sexual orientations, etc. We are not in the 50’s anymore and it would seem the tables have at least rotated a little.
Additionally, often people in nursing homes are miserable and in pain and they are grumpy and they are depressed and feel helpless. Sometimes people are unintelligible. Mostly people who are in nursing homes are suffering, in one way or another, and often times they can’t be helped. Residents in nursing homes are just people. Sure, there are some nice old ladies, but there are also perverts and sociopaths and whatever else. Residents are not just random, accepting, kindly grandmas just waiting to bake cookies for nice young volunteer girls. I think that image is harmful for young people that might expect the real world to be like that.
Both characters are such cliches, it hurt to read. The Spoiled Teen was incredibly unlikeable and the Country Teen was just cringeworthy.
I love twists, but the main twist was so... not that big of a deal? The second twist was great and perfectly written and awesome. THAT is why I read MPH.
My personal rant:
This book made it seem like nursing home residents in the country are all kindly people with stories and advice to share, whereas Europe has pro-Hitler people. If a book is going to be written, especially at this particular point in USA/World history, it might be good to take a hard look at who is open to differing religions, cultures, races, sexual orientations, etc. We are not in the 50’s anymore and it would seem the tables have at least rotated a little.
Additionally, often people in nursing homes are miserable and in pain and they are grumpy and they are depressed and feel helpless. Sometimes people are unintelligible. Mostly people who are in nursing homes are suffering, in one way or another, and often times they can’t be helped. Residents in nursing homes are just people. Sure, there are some nice old ladies, but there are also perverts and sociopaths and whatever else. Residents are not just random, accepting, kindly grandmas just waiting to bake cookies for nice young volunteer girls. I think that image is harmful for young people that might expect the real world to be like that.
April 24, 2018
The Summer of Broken Things is a coming of age/family drama about two very different teen girls who are forced to spend the summer together in Spain.
The descriptions of Spain will transport readers to this beautiful country and I enjoyed that the focus is on the family dynamics instead of teen romance. The story is told with the alternating points of view of the two teens, Avery and Kayla. These two are like night and day - Avery is the spoiled and trendy, yet sheltered ‘city mouse’ and Kayla is the lackluster, not as cool ‘country mouse’.
While the premise was intriguing, the character development was lacking leaving the two girls as one-dimensional characters. And while I liked the family dynamic with a side of mystery, I didn't find the secret that big of a deal unlike the characters who seemed to have over-the-top, long-winded reactions which didn't feel believable and slowed the pace of the book.
Overall, this was a light, entertaining but the plot was predictable and the characters too clichéd for my liking. It would probably be a better choice for people who want a light, clean read (no swearing or sex) and would be a good beachy read for readers in middle school to early teens.
Disclaimer: This Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review
The descriptions of Spain will transport readers to this beautiful country and I enjoyed that the focus is on the family dynamics instead of teen romance. The story is told with the alternating points of view of the two teens, Avery and Kayla. These two are like night and day - Avery is the spoiled and trendy, yet sheltered ‘city mouse’ and Kayla is the lackluster, not as cool ‘country mouse’.
While the premise was intriguing, the character development was lacking leaving the two girls as one-dimensional characters. And while I liked the family dynamic with a side of mystery, I didn't find the secret that big of a deal unlike the characters who seemed to have over-the-top, long-winded reactions which didn't feel believable and slowed the pace of the book.
Overall, this was a light, entertaining but the plot was predictable and the characters too clichéd for my liking. It would probably be a better choice for people who want a light, clean read (no swearing or sex) and would be a good beachy read for readers in middle school to early teens.
Disclaimer: This Advanced Reading Copy (ARC) was generously provided by the publisher in exchange for my honest review
December 26, 2021
Terrible read.
I've read three other books by Margaret Peterson Haddix but this one wasn't even worth two stars.
1) The characters weren't so bad at the beginning but got really annoying as the story went on. Mr.
Armisted was my favorite so it was disappointing when he ended up weak at the end.
2) I didn't care for the language in the book and the "Cristopher Columbus being a murderer".
3) The friendship between Avery and Kayla took forever to develop and felt rushed when it did and isn't believable.
4) Didn't care for the plot development with Kayla's mother. Would've been more interesting if they
would have been half siblings instead.
Only things I liked about the book were that it was set in another country and the idea of two people from different backgrounds having to do things together. Aside from that this book was a HUGE disappointment for me since I really like the author's writing style and suspense genre.
I've read three other books by Margaret Peterson Haddix but this one wasn't even worth two stars.
1) The characters weren't so bad at the beginning but got really annoying as the story went on. Mr.
Armisted was my favorite so it was disappointing when he ended up weak at the end.
2) I didn't care for the language in the book and the "Cristopher Columbus being a murderer".
3) The friendship between Avery and Kayla took forever to develop and felt rushed when it did and isn't believable.
4) Didn't care for the plot development with Kayla's mother. Would've been more interesting if they
would have been half siblings instead.
Only things I liked about the book were that it was set in another country and the idea of two people from different backgrounds having to do things together. Aside from that this book was a HUGE disappointment for me since I really like the author's writing style and suspense genre.
February 23, 2020
Honestly felt like nothing happened in this. Both of main characters seem to have never opened up a history book.
October 11, 2021
low-key hate all of the characters
June 10, 2018
Wow, this was a really really really good book! I loved how much the characters changed. I mean, I could tell from the beginning that obviously the characters were going to change a little bit at least and even though it's so cliche, I love it because I cried at the end and what bad can I say about a book that made me cry?
Kayla. I loved Kayla. More than Avery or anyone else. She was just so selfless. Like, if she had the same opportunities as Avery but still had experienced everything that she had, would she still have been as selfless? I guess we'll never know but it's something I like to think about. I loved how much she tolerated and how much she dealt with. She just really ended up figuring everything out and just really was calm under pressure no matter what was going on around her. I wish I could be like her. Like, she wasn't jealous of anything. She really wasn't all that jealous at the beginning either, but she realized how much she didn't need to be jealous towards the end. I need to be more like her.
Avery. Well, I have to say, she changed the most, even more than her mom. Avery realized that money isn't everything, how much money you have doesn't define you or make you any better than anyone else. I like that she was trying to make things better between her and Kalya, even if it was only because of her dad. She realized so many wise things, whether it was because of Kayla or her circumstances. And I'm sure she is still going to learn so much more because of what she will be going through if her parents do decide to go through with the divorce. I would question the same things she did towards the end of the book too because I have never gone through something like that and to go through it after you thought everything was alright, that would be an earthquake.
Kayla's mom. Well, she was a really big part of the story, I feel like, from the start whether I realized it or not. But I understand the emotions she was describing in her emails to Kayla. I feel like, (though I have never gone through some of the things she has, ha, ha, ha...) but I feel like I understand what she felt and why she might have felt that way. I love her personality though, and her character and her intentions.
Avery's dad. He just fell apart. I mean, her mom did too, but he fell apart harder than she did, I have to say. I mean, a heart attack? That's bad. But I am really glad he recovered because I don't know what kind of condition Avery would have been in without him because she wasn't very close to her mom at all. He cared for her so much and after doing as much as he could, he couldn't do anymore. I totally understand how he broke down, emotionally and physically. I liked his personality and character the most out of the adults in the story.
Avery's mom. Well, well, well, what can I say about her. I mean, I definitely understand where her jealous feelings for Kayla's mom were coming from, I would feel the same. (If I was her age and in her circumstances of course. Duh.) But I really liked how she changed and how she became a better person.
Overall, this was a really good book. I definitely recommend it to everything.
Kayla. I loved Kayla. More than Avery or anyone else. She was just so selfless. Like, if she had the same opportunities as Avery but still had experienced everything that she had, would she still have been as selfless? I guess we'll never know but it's something I like to think about. I loved how much she tolerated and how much she dealt with. She just really ended up figuring everything out and just really was calm under pressure no matter what was going on around her. I wish I could be like her. Like, she wasn't jealous of anything. She really wasn't all that jealous at the beginning either, but she realized how much she didn't need to be jealous towards the end. I need to be more like her.
Avery. Well, I have to say, she changed the most, even more than her mom. Avery realized that money isn't everything, how much money you have doesn't define you or make you any better than anyone else. I like that she was trying to make things better between her and Kalya, even if it was only because of her dad. She realized so many wise things, whether it was because of Kayla or her circumstances. And I'm sure she is still going to learn so much more because of what she will be going through if her parents do decide to go through with the divorce. I would question the same things she did towards the end of the book too because I have never gone through something like that and to go through it after you thought everything was alright, that would be an earthquake.
Kayla's mom. Well, she was a really big part of the story, I feel like, from the start whether I realized it or not. But I understand the emotions she was describing in her emails to Kayla. I feel like, (though I have never gone through some of the things she has, ha, ha, ha...) but I feel like I understand what she felt and why she might have felt that way. I love her personality though, and her character and her intentions.
Avery's dad. He just fell apart. I mean, her mom did too, but he fell apart harder than she did, I have to say. I mean, a heart attack? That's bad. But I am really glad he recovered because I don't know what kind of condition Avery would have been in without him because she wasn't very close to her mom at all. He cared for her so much and after doing as much as he could, he couldn't do anymore. I totally understand how he broke down, emotionally and physically. I liked his personality and character the most out of the adults in the story.
Avery's mom. Well, well, well, what can I say about her. I mean, I definitely understand where her jealous feelings for Kayla's mom were coming from, I would feel the same. (If I was her age and in her circumstances of course. Duh.) But I really liked how she changed and how she became a better person.
Overall, this was a really good book. I definitely recommend it to everything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 16, 2019
I am only admitting I read this book to remind my future self not to. Unless you are a tween girl or just love to read about characters stuck in deep victim mode, don't bother. The last two books I have read started slow, but got better so I kept at this one. It was painful to the end. Its only redeeming quality was that it was a breath of fresh air to read a clean YA book. Oh, and I like the book's cover. Two thumbs up.
1 - Writing Style (Whiney.)
1 - Kept me Awake at Night Reading (It got to a point where I kept reading just to get it over with.)
1 - Good Discussion Book (No.)
5 - Violence (Nothing but arguing.)
5 - Sex (Clean.)
5 - Language (Clean.)
2 - Unique (The surrogate mother twist was almost interesting, but ridiculous how the characters responded.)
1 - Writing Style (Whiney.)
1 - Kept me Awake at Night Reading (It got to a point where I kept reading just to get it over with.)
1 - Good Discussion Book (No.)
5 - Violence (Nothing but arguing.)
5 - Sex (Clean.)
5 - Language (Clean.)
2 - Unique (The surrogate mother twist was almost interesting, but ridiculous how the characters responded.)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 13, 2020
the book wasn’t really that interesting to me, but I liked how much the characters developed throughout the story
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October 1, 2021Loved this book and the theme.
January 22, 2019
The theme of this book is that people don't always seem like what they are on the inside. For example, Kayla thinks that Avery is pretty, smart, and has perfect rich parents. However, as you read the book, you find out that Avery has a really messed up life, and her parents are getting divorced. Kayla, being poor, but positive never thinks she will ever be friends with Avery, but a tangled family lie brings them close together.
April 10, 2018
The Summer of Broken Things is a Young Adult book that I would classify as realistic fiction. This is my first book by this author.
This book is quite different from most YA books that I read. The main characters/narrators are younger (14 and 16) and there is almost no focus on romance.
There are two first person narrators: Avery (14) and Kayla (16).
Avery is rich, spoiled, pretty and popular. She loves soccer and she has lots of friends. Kayla comes from a completely different background. Her family does not have a lot of money. She is overweight. She is bullied. And most of the people that she hangs out with are seniors.
These two girls could not be more different. But they are brought together during a summer in Spain. This book alternates chapters between these two girls. And it was very interesting to see their differing POVs.
This book is about family. This book is about friendship. This book is about travel. This book is about secrets and lies.
It was fascinating to see what life was like from Avery's point of view. She felt entitled and angry. And she was a bit of a brat. It was also compelling to see what things were like for Kayla. She had not traveled before so everything was new for her.
I loved that most of the story was set in Spain. That part of the book was appealing and educational. I also really liked how real this book felt. There were definitely some things that I was not expecting. Especially the main focus of the story (one of the secrets). But overall, it was good to read something so different from what I am used to reading. I liked this book!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for this book!
This book is quite different from most YA books that I read. The main characters/narrators are younger (14 and 16) and there is almost no focus on romance.
There are two first person narrators: Avery (14) and Kayla (16).
Avery is rich, spoiled, pretty and popular. She loves soccer and she has lots of friends. Kayla comes from a completely different background. Her family does not have a lot of money. She is overweight. She is bullied. And most of the people that she hangs out with are seniors.
These two girls could not be more different. But they are brought together during a summer in Spain. This book alternates chapters between these two girls. And it was very interesting to see their differing POVs.
This book is about family. This book is about friendship. This book is about travel. This book is about secrets and lies.
It was fascinating to see what life was like from Avery's point of view. She felt entitled and angry. And she was a bit of a brat. It was also compelling to see what things were like for Kayla. She had not traveled before so everything was new for her.
I loved that most of the story was set in Spain. That part of the book was appealing and educational. I also really liked how real this book felt. There were definitely some things that I was not expecting. Especially the main focus of the story (one of the secrets). But overall, it was good to read something so different from what I am used to reading. I liked this book!
Thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada for this book!
March 22, 2021
4.5/5
This was surprisingly really engrossing! I enjoyed it more than I thought I would (can you tell by the fact I read it in a day, haha)! The beginning was kind of slow, but after I got more attached to the characters and story, it was very good. I didn't want to put it down! This was such a refreshing, poignant read about two girls struggling to overcome emotional warfare after I have honestly never thought about the point of view of someone going through this, so it was interesting and felt true-to-life.
Pros
Margaret Peterson Haddix did a fantastic job of expression emotions with words. Her characters felt very real, and I felt myself feeling emphatic for all of them. I finished the book wanting to read more, but I don't think this will be a series (unfortunately). There were a lot of powerful messages and themes in this book, and I think it could be beneficial for teenagers and middle-school aged kids to read this book. It's hard to remember that you are not alone in your pain, and that every person on the planet has their own story to tell.
The research and time that was put into this piece really paid off. Spain really came to life throughout the pages of this book, and I really appreciated that the author took the time to write her Spanish correctly. Something else that really appealed to me was the lack of focus on looks. Yes, Avery was described as pretty and Kayla worried about her weight, but the book really made a point that looks aren't everything. Who we are matters, not what we look like. So often I read books with gorgeous characters, and in all honesty it was nice to read about normal-looking people.
Cons
The writing in this book was confusing at some parts, and hard for me to follow and comprehend. I found myself re-reading paragraphs and sentences just to make sure I had fully understood what they were trying to say. After I got further into the book, though, I didn't notice it as much, anymore.
This was surprisingly really engrossing! I enjoyed it more than I thought I would (can you tell by the fact I read it in a day, haha)! The beginning was kind of slow, but after I got more attached to the characters and story, it was very good. I didn't want to put it down! This was such a refreshing, poignant read about two girls struggling to overcome emotional warfare after I have honestly never thought about the point of view of someone going through this, so it was interesting and felt true-to-life.
Pros
Margaret Peterson Haddix did a fantastic job of expression emotions with words. Her characters felt very real, and I felt myself feeling emphatic for all of them. I finished the book wanting to read more, but I don't think this will be a series (unfortunately). There were a lot of powerful messages and themes in this book, and I think it could be beneficial for teenagers and middle-school aged kids to read this book. It's hard to remember that you are not alone in your pain, and that every person on the planet has their own story to tell.
The research and time that was put into this piece really paid off. Spain really came to life throughout the pages of this book, and I really appreciated that the author took the time to write her Spanish correctly. Something else that really appealed to me was the lack of focus on looks. Yes, Avery was described as pretty and Kayla worried about her weight, but the book really made a point that looks aren't everything. Who we are matters, not what we look like. So often I read books with gorgeous characters, and in all honesty it was nice to read about normal-looking people.
Cons
The writing in this book was confusing at some parts, and hard for me to follow and comprehend. I found myself re-reading paragraphs and sentences just to make sure I had fully understood what they were trying to say. After I got further into the book, though, I didn't notice it as much, anymore.
December 27, 2018
Kayla and Avery are separated by 2 years, geographic location, and economic and social strata. But something connects them and results in the two of them spending the summer in Spain with Avery’s father. Neither girl likes the the other and both have work to do in the personality department, but when the reason for their families’ connection is revealed, both girls may be forced to accept the other. As a big fan of Haddix’s middle grade sci-fi (series: Shadow Children, Found, Children of Exile and stand alones like Running Out of Time, Turnabout, and more), I had both excitement and a bit of anxiety about reading a YA, realistic fiction by her. The unusual situation that joins Kayla and Avery was handled well and both girls reacted in realistic ways. The history and culture of Spain is sprinkled throughout and I learned much. And both girls make decisions that will hopefully lead to them becoming better people. But I was not wow’ed by the book and that is my usual reaction at the end of a Margaret Peterson Haddix book. I found Avery’s self-centeredness to be so overwhelming that even when she tries to be more kind, I still didn’t like her. Kayla was a more sympathetic character, but she couldn’t make up for the unlikeable Avery. However, I do believe there is a readership for this one with girls in grades 8 and up who are looking for books set amidst the social back and forth between those more privileged teens and the ones whose families are struggling to make it from paycheck to paycheck. As Haddix thankfully does, content is free of profanity and potentially offensive sexual content.
Favorite quote: “Some emotions are braided together too tight to know what exactly you feel.” Kayla’s mom, pg. 345
Favorite quote: “Some emotions are braided together too tight to know what exactly you feel.” Kayla’s mom, pg. 345
January 5, 2018
THE SUMMER OF BROKEN THINGS tells the story of a summer that really changes both of the main characters.
Avery Armisted is fourteen, rich, pretty, athletic and just a little bit spoiled. When her parents tell her that she is going with her father to Spain for the summer instead of to soccer camp with her friends, she is angry and disappointed. She is even more angry when her father tells her that they are bringing along Kayla Butts who is two years older and who was a friend when both girls were younger.
Kayla lives with her grandparents and her mother in a small town. She's not rich, not attractive, and is bullied at school by kids who call her Butt-girl. Her mother works in a nursing home and Kayla often tags along. Her best friends are the residents of the home. She is excited to be going to Spain and hopes that she and Avery can be friends again.
Once in Spain, the girls struggle to get along. Avery is so angry and Kayla finally stops trying to appease her. Avery gets even more angry and hurt when she learns that her parents are planning a divorce. Also, she learns a secret about her family that also involves Kayla which rocks the world for both girls.
They need to find a way to pull together and decide if they can be anything to each other. I liked the way Kayla developed self-confidence and self-assurance through the course of this story. I was a little less enthused about Avery who was more volatile in her emotional journey. Of course, Kayla has a much stronger family situation than Avery and more maturity.
This was an engaging story with intriguing characters.
Avery Armisted is fourteen, rich, pretty, athletic and just a little bit spoiled. When her parents tell her that she is going with her father to Spain for the summer instead of to soccer camp with her friends, she is angry and disappointed. She is even more angry when her father tells her that they are bringing along Kayla Butts who is two years older and who was a friend when both girls were younger.
Kayla lives with her grandparents and her mother in a small town. She's not rich, not attractive, and is bullied at school by kids who call her Butt-girl. Her mother works in a nursing home and Kayla often tags along. Her best friends are the residents of the home. She is excited to be going to Spain and hopes that she and Avery can be friends again.
Once in Spain, the girls struggle to get along. Avery is so angry and Kayla finally stops trying to appease her. Avery gets even more angry and hurt when she learns that her parents are planning a divorce. Also, she learns a secret about her family that also involves Kayla which rocks the world for both girls.
They need to find a way to pull together and decide if they can be anything to each other. I liked the way Kayla developed self-confidence and self-assurance through the course of this story. I was a little less enthused about Avery who was more volatile in her emotional journey. Of course, Kayla has a much stronger family situation than Avery and more maturity.
This was an engaging story with intriguing characters.
May 11, 2018
I don't understand all the bad reviews on this book. I thought it was amazing and I'm very hypercritical. Maybe some of the bad reviews have something to do with the Christian undertones and constant talk of prayer?
Anyway, I enjoyed it. I loved the characters and how Kayla was just as flawed and angry as Avery. I loved the plot twist. I really enjoyed the Christian undertones. This was a really great book and I just don't understand the hate it's getting.
Anyway, I enjoyed it. I loved the characters and how Kayla was just as flawed and angry as Avery. I loved the plot twist. I really enjoyed the Christian undertones. This was a really great book and I just don't understand the hate it's getting.
May 24, 2018
More like a 1.5, really. This book just consistently infuriated me. Both of the main characters annoyed me, for different reasons, and I while I do recognize that they are meant to be young teenagers, I was completely confused as to why they overreacted to every little thing that happened. I finished it in case there was some major redemptive arc for either of them, and I suppose there was in a few ways...but overall I was just left mostly annoyed.
April 3, 2018
I enjoyed this book though I was expecting something more sci-fi or dystopian from the author. She raises thought-provoking questions about surrogacy and what constitutes family while infusing Spanish culture. I felt I was getting a trip to Spain while enjoying the book!
October 31, 2018
They acted so immature for their age, especially Kayla!
December 5, 2025
Oh this book is beautiful.
The Summer of Broken Things follows Kayla and Avery. They were friends when they were kid but after years passed, they never communicate anymore. Kayla's living with her mom while her dad is in bedrest because of accident, Avery is spoiled kid with rick parents. One day, Avery's dad told Avery to go to Spain with him and Kayla. Avery felt annoyed because she can't get her friends instead but ended up agreeing the terms.
As they went to Spain, lots of things happened. Avery somehow lost her passport and had to get her birth certificate, but then she found out a secret that somehow linked with Kayla. As a very young, what was it again, 14 maybe, Avery can't take the secret really well when it was revealed. Kayla in the other hand, felt hurt because of things Avery said and because the truth has something related with her as well. Avery and Kayla spend the first few weeks in Spain mad and hating each others.
I like how this book focused on how the both main characters make a progress with their feelings. How they cope their own feelings and how they slowly accepting each others. I think that makes this book very beautiful.
Actual rate: 3.5 stars
The Summer of Broken Things follows Kayla and Avery. They were friends when they were kid but after years passed, they never communicate anymore. Kayla's living with her mom while her dad is in bedrest because of accident, Avery is spoiled kid with rick parents. One day, Avery's dad told Avery to go to Spain with him and Kayla. Avery felt annoyed because she can't get her friends instead but ended up agreeing the terms.
As they went to Spain, lots of things happened. Avery somehow lost her passport and had to get her birth certificate, but then she found out a secret that somehow linked with Kayla. As a very young, what was it again, 14 maybe, Avery can't take the secret really well when it was revealed. Kayla in the other hand, felt hurt because of things Avery said and because the truth has something related with her as well. Avery and Kayla spend the first few weeks in Spain mad and hating each others.
I like how this book focused on how the both main characters make a progress with their feelings. How they cope their own feelings and how they slowly accepting each others. I think that makes this book very beautiful.
Actual rate: 3.5 stars
April 4, 2018
Bitter-sweet would be a good description for this book. Avery and Kayla are teens who have serious issues to work through. They are very different personalities with insecurities and preconceived notions of who they are and their place in society.
This book deals with some hard emotional issues. The girls learn and grow, they also learn respect and the value of someone who is different from them. I think in they end they realize that they aren't as different as they first thought.
The book is a coming of age story. It is emotionally driven. I appreciated the growth and learning of the two girls. They dealt with the grief of a secret that had been kept from both of them very differently, but both reactions were realistic.
I would consider this clean, but because of the emotional impact I would say that it is suitable for a more mature reader.
Source: I received a review copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own,
This book deals with some hard emotional issues. The girls learn and grow, they also learn respect and the value of someone who is different from them. I think in they end they realize that they aren't as different as they first thought.
The book is a coming of age story. It is emotionally driven. I appreciated the growth and learning of the two girls. They dealt with the grief of a secret that had been kept from both of them very differently, but both reactions were realistic.
I would consider this clean, but because of the emotional impact I would say that it is suitable for a more mature reader.
Source: I received a review copy from Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own,
August 31, 2018
This young adult book’s title isn’t playing around. When it says stuff broke, like, that summer THINGS BROKE.
•
Avery is a spoiled rich girl forced (forced?!) to go to Spain for the summer with her dad. For reasons no one understands at first, they take along a poor country-mouse-type girl, Kayla, who isn’t really even a friend of Avery’s. The girls annoy me a bit and I’m even more annoyed when they can’t get along. I mean they REALLY can’t get along. They are total opposites and their attitudes are a little clichéd. (Is it cliché? Clichéd?)
•
The setting is summer in Spain, and beautiful landmarks and language and culture abound. I thought the book was completely predictable but then things happen that I didn’t predict. I didn’t like the first of the book as much as the second half, and when I teared up near the end I was left completely confused about how much I like the book.
•
This author and I would be friends. I will definitely read more books by her, because I think we have the same perspective. Peterson Haddix has written numerous award winning children’s and young adult books, mostly sci-fi and fantasy. Have you all read any of her series’?
•
The Summer of Broken Things has no curse words or sex, and when things got really bad at one point, the girls prayed. You heard me right, they prayed.😊
•
Avery is a spoiled rich girl forced (forced?!) to go to Spain for the summer with her dad. For reasons no one understands at first, they take along a poor country-mouse-type girl, Kayla, who isn’t really even a friend of Avery’s. The girls annoy me a bit and I’m even more annoyed when they can’t get along. I mean they REALLY can’t get along. They are total opposites and their attitudes are a little clichéd. (Is it cliché? Clichéd?)
•
The setting is summer in Spain, and beautiful landmarks and language and culture abound. I thought the book was completely predictable but then things happen that I didn’t predict. I didn’t like the first of the book as much as the second half, and when I teared up near the end I was left completely confused about how much I like the book.
•
This author and I would be friends. I will definitely read more books by her, because I think we have the same perspective. Peterson Haddix has written numerous award winning children’s and young adult books, mostly sci-fi and fantasy. Have you all read any of her series’?
•
The Summer of Broken Things has no curse words or sex, and when things got really bad at one point, the girls prayed. You heard me right, they prayed.😊
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