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Uncertain Summer
For decades, something has lurked in the swampy lakes of East Texas. When a TV show offers a million dollars to the person that can provide conclusive proof of the creature, Everdil, her brother, and two friends form a team to snap a picture of Bigfoot. But tracking a monster, especially one nobody's been able to catch, proves trickier than Everdil expected. With each new adventure, Everdil seems to create more problems with her friends and family than she solves. In the end, she has to hope that her brave, foolish actions will ultimately make things right with everyone, including Bigfoot. This book will remind readers that hope and loyalty are traits that we all share, no matter our size.
- GenresMiddle Grade
220 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
27 people want to read
About the author
Jessica Lee Anderson
67 books32 followersI was born in Phoenix, Arizona, although my family didn't stay there long.
My father served in the Air Force and we soon moved to Texas. Honolulu,
Hawaii was our most exotic station. I'll never forget the excitement of
winning a hula competition. Those who know me now would never guess I
had that kind of coordination.
When we moved back to San Antonio, Texas, I missed the Aloha State, but
books served as a great distraction. Around that same time, I wrote my first
book, Fuzzy the Fox. I tried to write my first novel in high school. The
story had a strong beginning and a promising ending, but the middle of the
book ruined it all. Even though the book was not a success, the experience
taught me much about the writing process, especially about revision.
In college, I took a children's literature course that inspired me to write
books for children and teens I eventually went on to graduate from Hollins University with an M.A. in children's literature. In addition to my book publications, I've written magazine articles for Highlights for Children, Wee Ones Magazine, and Holiday Crafts 4 Kids. In addition to writing, I also teach at the Institute of Children's Literature.
I love to read, and some of my favorite authors are: Mildred Taylor, Han
Nolan, David LaRochelle, S.E. Hinton, Karen Hesse, Judy Blume, Avi, Eoin
Colfer, and Christopher Paul Curtis. The list could go on and on!
I live north of Austin with my supportive husband, Michael, and my dogs
Buster and JoJo. When not writing, Michael and I enjoy traveling and have
a goal to travel to as many national parks as possible.
My father served in the Air Force and we soon moved to Texas. Honolulu,
Hawaii was our most exotic station. I'll never forget the excitement of
winning a hula competition. Those who know me now would never guess I
had that kind of coordination.
When we moved back to San Antonio, Texas, I missed the Aloha State, but
books served as a great distraction. Around that same time, I wrote my first
book, Fuzzy the Fox. I tried to write my first novel in high school. The
story had a strong beginning and a promising ending, but the middle of the
book ruined it all. Even though the book was not a success, the experience
taught me much about the writing process, especially about revision.
In college, I took a children's literature course that inspired me to write
books for children and teens I eventually went on to graduate from Hollins University with an M.A. in children's literature. In addition to my book publications, I've written magazine articles for Highlights for Children, Wee Ones Magazine, and Holiday Crafts 4 Kids. In addition to writing, I also teach at the Institute of Children's Literature.
I love to read, and some of my favorite authors are: Mildred Taylor, Han
Nolan, David LaRochelle, S.E. Hinton, Karen Hesse, Judy Blume, Avi, Eoin
Colfer, and Christopher Paul Curtis. The list could go on and on!
I live north of Austin with my supportive husband, Michael, and my dogs
Buster and JoJo. When not writing, Michael and I enjoy traveling and have
a goal to travel to as many national parks as possible.
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 29, 2019
(Opening line)-“My twelfth birthday arrived with more surprises than I expected.”- Everdil Jackson
This was a good mystery read! Set in Uncertain, a small East Texas town, Everdil and four others go on a search to find the elusive Bigfoot for a contest. If they win, Everdil and her brother hope it will bring their family’s financial problems to an end.
Not just a mystery, but a coming-of-age story also, with pre-teens taking hard looks at themselves and others for the first time. A story about how family members, though they pester and irritate each other, can come through for each other when it really counts.
Memorable Quotes:
(Everdil and her Grampa were big Chuck Norris fans!)
Pg. 34-“Chuck Norris can cut a knife using butter.”
Pg. 190-“Chuck Norris doesn’t need to eat. He’d find a way to gobble up fear!”
This was a good mystery read! Set in Uncertain, a small East Texas town, Everdil and four others go on a search to find the elusive Bigfoot for a contest. If they win, Everdil and her brother hope it will bring their family’s financial problems to an end.
Not just a mystery, but a coming-of-age story also, with pre-teens taking hard looks at themselves and others for the first time. A story about how family members, though they pester and irritate each other, can come through for each other when it really counts.
Memorable Quotes:
(Everdil and her Grampa were big Chuck Norris fans!)
Pg. 34-“Chuck Norris can cut a knife using butter.”
Pg. 190-“Chuck Norris doesn’t need to eat. He’d find a way to gobble up fear!”
May 31, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from the publisher at TxLA’s annual conference. What follows is my honest review.
It is summer in Uncertain, Texas and things are looking grim for twelve year old Everdil Jackson. Her best friend seems to be more of an ex best friend these days, things with her friend Tim have suddenly become complicated, her beloved Gram has died, and most troubling of all, money is tight at home. A solution seems to present itself in the form of the announcement of a one million dollar reward for genuine picture of Bigfoot…and lucky for Everdil it seems something is in the dense woods around Uncertain. The hunt for Bigfoot is on and Everdil will find more than she bargained for on her own hunt.
I love a good Bigfoot story and Uncertain Summer is fantastic Bigfoot story! Returning from TxLA my flight home was delayed, delayed again, and delayed again. The only good thing that came out of all the time I spent at the airport was the time I had to read Uncertain Summer! As a native Texan, I liked that it took place in Texas. It is clear Anderson did her research about Bigfoot. Her story is realistic, not fantastical. Everdil is a great leading lady, she is likeable and relatable. She may be searching for Bigfoot, but she is also navigating the difficult world that is being twelve years old. Growing up isn’t easy and Anderson has captured it quite nicely in her book.
My favorite part of Uncertain Summer is Bigfoot itself. The approach was different from I’ve seen before. It is a touching approach and I absolutely love it. I am so excited about this book! I can’t wait for it to come out so I can put it in the hands of my patrons. I also think that Uncertain Summer would be great fit for the next Texas Bluebonnet Award’s nominee list!
It is summer in Uncertain, Texas and things are looking grim for twelve year old Everdil Jackson. Her best friend seems to be more of an ex best friend these days, things with her friend Tim have suddenly become complicated, her beloved Gram has died, and most troubling of all, money is tight at home. A solution seems to present itself in the form of the announcement of a one million dollar reward for genuine picture of Bigfoot…and lucky for Everdil it seems something is in the dense woods around Uncertain. The hunt for Bigfoot is on and Everdil will find more than she bargained for on her own hunt.
I love a good Bigfoot story and Uncertain Summer is fantastic Bigfoot story! Returning from TxLA my flight home was delayed, delayed again, and delayed again. The only good thing that came out of all the time I spent at the airport was the time I had to read Uncertain Summer! As a native Texan, I liked that it took place in Texas. It is clear Anderson did her research about Bigfoot. Her story is realistic, not fantastical. Everdil is a great leading lady, she is likeable and relatable. She may be searching for Bigfoot, but she is also navigating the difficult world that is being twelve years old. Growing up isn’t easy and Anderson has captured it quite nicely in her book.
My favorite part of Uncertain Summer is Bigfoot itself. The approach was different from I’ve seen before. It is a touching approach and I absolutely love it. I am so excited about this book! I can’t wait for it to come out so I can put it in the hands of my patrons. I also think that Uncertain Summer would be great fit for the next Texas Bluebonnet Award’s nominee list!
November 15, 2017
This book was fun! I met the author when she appeared at a Local Author Fair, where she described this book as a Texas Bigfoot Adventure. The emphasis belongs on "adventure." I'm an adult and I loved it, but so did my 10-year-old and 8-year-old boys. And my 7-year-old daughter is interested in reading it next.
Uncertain Summer also does a great job of capturing the awkward pre-teen time in a young girl's life. The characters are so well fleshed out, you'll keep thinking of them after finishing the book. It's an adventure and a coming-of-age story.
Uncertain Summer also does a great job of capturing the awkward pre-teen time in a young girl's life. The characters are so well fleshed out, you'll keep thinking of them after finishing the book. It's an adventure and a coming-of-age story.
September 25, 2017
One thing is certain, Uncertain Summer is an action packed adventure you don't want to miss!
November 19, 2017
In the small town of Uncertain, Texas, Everdil’s twelfth birthday arrives with more surprises than expected, when she learns about the Cryptic Cryptid Productions contest and the one million dollar reward for an authentic photograph or video of Bigfoot. Bigfoot is legend around this part of East Texas.
With a road named after the beast, and a lodge for tourists, even Everdil’s father and grandfather are enthusiasts, and together have scraped enough money to purchase the local marina her father’s worked at over the years, and they plan on continuing the local tours.
Life would be easier for her family if she won one million dollars. But capturing the winning picture isn’t going to be easy. Everdil’s thirteen-year-old, brother, Emmett, constantly provokes her. It seems everyone in the family has joined in the “yell-at-Everdil-a-thon" except for Gramps, over her prank with Emmett and the cake, she wishes she could rewind.
When Everdil receives a digital camera with recording features, she hadn’t asked for, she determines it’s fate and her birthday colliding to help her capture the prize photo. Her new camera can also record her mother’s audition for FoodieLand, blaming the last inferior recording on why her mother never heard back.
Everdil forms a team with her brother, Emmett, and Tim, the son of the town’s Bigfoot scholar, and her old best friend, who’s back in town, though time and space have strained their friendship, she must navigate her feelings for what happened between them, as Everdil gets closer and closer to Bigfoot.
Uncertain is a real town in East Texas. The author captures the setting beautifully, the great cypress, the Spanish moss, and the draught. Everdil’s relationships with her family and friends grow on you and feel as real her search for Bigfoot.
A fun and adventurous MG book for readers 9-12 and a perfect “not too scary” book for Halloween.
*Goes live on The Kidliterati Blog Oct. 30th.
With a road named after the beast, and a lodge for tourists, even Everdil’s father and grandfather are enthusiasts, and together have scraped enough money to purchase the local marina her father’s worked at over the years, and they plan on continuing the local tours.
Life would be easier for her family if she won one million dollars. But capturing the winning picture isn’t going to be easy. Everdil’s thirteen-year-old, brother, Emmett, constantly provokes her. It seems everyone in the family has joined in the “yell-at-Everdil-a-thon" except for Gramps, over her prank with Emmett and the cake, she wishes she could rewind.
When Everdil receives a digital camera with recording features, she hadn’t asked for, she determines it’s fate and her birthday colliding to help her capture the prize photo. Her new camera can also record her mother’s audition for FoodieLand, blaming the last inferior recording on why her mother never heard back.
Everdil forms a team with her brother, Emmett, and Tim, the son of the town’s Bigfoot scholar, and her old best friend, who’s back in town, though time and space have strained their friendship, she must navigate her feelings for what happened between them, as Everdil gets closer and closer to Bigfoot.
Uncertain is a real town in East Texas. The author captures the setting beautifully, the great cypress, the Spanish moss, and the draught. Everdil’s relationships with her family and friends grow on you and feel as real her search for Bigfoot.
A fun and adventurous MG book for readers 9-12 and a perfect “not too scary” book for Halloween.
*Goes live on The Kidliterati Blog Oct. 30th.
April 10, 2019
I really enjoyed this adventure story focused on finding the mysterious Bigfoot and a brave, lovable heroine who never gives up. The setting is so richly described, it pulled me right into the story! Anderson offers a great new take on the Bigfoot legend.
May 8, 2019
This would be a good introduction read for folk tales or legends that I know are covered in standards. Another great mystery adventure for my classroom bookshelf!
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews