Navajo Summer

by Jennifer Owings Dewey

Upset at her parents' impending divorce, twelve-year-old Jamie runs away from home to live with a Navajo family that she befriended on earlier trips to the desert country with her father.

143 pages, Library Binding

First published August 1, 1998

About the author

Jennifer Owings Dewey is a prolific writer and illustrator of children's books, most recently Antarctica: A Journal of Days. She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Reviews

[Cody Ray]

This book is less of a memoir than a relation of an emotional journey and a child’s path to healing. The language, tho simply, relates how this child understood life’s pain and her observations of how different people relate to life. Rereading it as an adult, I was struck by how accurately it conveyed what it was like to observe people and to manage changing relationships while growing up. Its dealing with Navajo culture is kept simple, as it would be from a white child’s perspective, but with an indication that the child understands it more than most adult outsiders would. I loved her description of the elderly lady as it reminds me of my own elders. While her descriptions of their home, manner, and customs were full of life, she kept a respectful distance in acknowledging that she would never fully understand the Navajo life tho it could, for a short time, offer her healing.

[Michele · Rating 2 out of 5]

A young girl runs away from home and spends a summer in Canyon de Chelley where she finds love and healing with a Navajo family. I understand this book is based on a true story, otherwise I would wonder if it is realistic. The descriptions and cultural information appear to be accurate. 10 to 11 year old girls will enjoy this book.

[Kristen · Rating 1 out of 5]

i have to say that when i first heard about this book it quickly caught my attention. considering that the navajos in the book have the same last name as me... ha ha ha. i tried to look at it in a child's perspective... the book was poorly written.

[Rosalina · Rating 4 out of 5]

i loved this book when i was younger i read it 5 times i think. i lost it though so i cant judge the book now.

[Rosalina Castro · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book when I was a kid. I haven't read it recently but I may have to to see if I still love it.