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Wrong Way Summer
Claire used to love her dad’s fantastical stories, especially tales about her absent mom—who could be off with the circus or stolen by the troll king, depending on the day. But now that she’s 12, Claire thinks she’s old enough to know the truth. When her dad sells the house and moves her and her brother into a converted van, she’s tired of the tall tales and refuses to pretend it’s all some grand adventure, despite how enthusiastically her little brother embraces this newest fantasy. Claire is faced with a choice: Will she play along with the stories her dad is spinning for her little brother, or will she force her family to face reality once and for all?
288 pages, Hardcover
First published April 21, 2020
5 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
About the author
Heidi Lang
15 books108 followersHeidi Lang believes that the next Grand Adventure is always just around the corner. She has chased her love of judo from the East to the West Coast, run ultramarathons, started her own dog-walking business, and converted a Sprinter van into a tiny home so she could experience #vanlife. Currently she lives in Washington with her husband, kids, and two dogs.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
August 20, 2021
This was such a great summer read! Very different from the books I’m used to from this author that I’ve read before, that she co-wrote. Those were more fantasy. This is the 1st book I’ve read solely written by her, & I loved this so much too!
Claire used to love her dad’s fantastical stories, especially tales about her absent mom—who could be off with the circus or stolen by the troll king, depending on the day. But now that she’s 12, Claire thinks she’s old enough to know the truth. When her dad sells the house & moves her & her brother into a converted van, she’s tired of the tall tales & refuses to pretend it’s all some grand adventure, despite how enthusiastically her little brother embraces this newest fantasy. Claire is faced with a choice: Will she play along with the stories her dad is spinning for her little brother, or will she force her family to face reality once and for all?
This was just so absolutely heartwarming. This family stole my heart. I LOVED the dad. What a superbly written character! Some of the best dialogue & humor! Also, if the dad needs a job, he needs to write books! Because he was such an amazing storyteller! I loved the stories told in here-including a couple told later on by someone else.😉 This has a few real life issues, that make this even more relatable. We deal with the aftermath of a parent who has left & has no contact(& how it still affects these kids years later),how life can change in an instant when the provider(the dad in this case)loses their job, & struggles to find work again & pay bills, & having no place to live.
There’s humor, loss, love, pain, joy, family, adventure, amazing life lessons, amazing writing, adventure, & lots of hope in here. I felt like I was hitting the road with this family, & thought it was so greatly written. I also loved the authors note in the back, & that hit all the emotions as well. There’s always a little truth in any story, & this one hit my heart just right. #vanlife will always mean something special to me from now on also. Highly recommend! Gorgeous cover by Isabel Roxas too!💜
Claire used to love her dad’s fantastical stories, especially tales about her absent mom—who could be off with the circus or stolen by the troll king, depending on the day. But now that she’s 12, Claire thinks she’s old enough to know the truth. When her dad sells the house & moves her & her brother into a converted van, she’s tired of the tall tales & refuses to pretend it’s all some grand adventure, despite how enthusiastically her little brother embraces this newest fantasy. Claire is faced with a choice: Will she play along with the stories her dad is spinning for her little brother, or will she force her family to face reality once and for all?
This was just so absolutely heartwarming. This family stole my heart. I LOVED the dad. What a superbly written character! Some of the best dialogue & humor! Also, if the dad needs a job, he needs to write books! Because he was such an amazing storyteller! I loved the stories told in here-including a couple told later on by someone else.😉 This has a few real life issues, that make this even more relatable. We deal with the aftermath of a parent who has left & has no contact(& how it still affects these kids years later),how life can change in an instant when the provider(the dad in this case)loses their job, & struggles to find work again & pay bills, & having no place to live.
There’s humor, loss, love, pain, joy, family, adventure, amazing life lessons, amazing writing, adventure, & lots of hope in here. I felt like I was hitting the road with this family, & thought it was so greatly written. I also loved the authors note in the back, & that hit all the emotions as well. There’s always a little truth in any story, & this one hit my heart just right. #vanlife will always mean something special to me from now on also. Highly recommend! Gorgeous cover by Isabel Roxas too!💜
February 6, 2020
Such a heart-warming read! Claire and her family feel so real, and I was utterly charmed by this story. Young readers will be delighted by the "hastag vanlife" adventures!
August 24, 2019
This book was a pure delight to read. Poor Claire is living the #vanlife with her storytelling dad and semi-irritating younger brother, and learns that a true home is more than just a house.
I loved the stories Claire’s dad weaved. And I loved how Claire discovers her own gift for storytelling and that the best stories always have a hint of truth to them. I cried along with Claire, her brother, Patrick, and their goofy, lovable dad as their journey takes them right where they need to be.
I loved the stories Claire’s dad weaved. And I loved how Claire discovers her own gift for storytelling and that the best stories always have a hint of truth to them. I cried along with Claire, her brother, Patrick, and their goofy, lovable dad as their journey takes them right where they need to be.
January 20, 2020
Thank you to the publisher Amulet Books and author Heidi Lang for sending a signed ARC to #bookexcursion. Wrong Way Summer was a Grand Adventure and pulled on my heart strings as I felt for Claire and her little brother Patrick. Their dad always had the most elaborate stories but never truthfully explained what happened to their mother who Claire found out moved to California. One day they leave their Michigan home and set out on a Grand Adventure with no destination in a Van her father converted into a living space. Claire is angry at her dad, she’s 12 and is no longer believing his elaborate stories. But as she’s getting used to the “hashtag vanlife” this summer, she wonders if she could ever forgive her mother for leaving them.
June 9, 2025
3.5 stars
The quest for a fun, summer road trip book continues - this was a bit more depressing than a fun summer vacation in a van.
I really empathized with the main character, Claire, and she reminded me a lot of myself. She's had to leave her home, her best friends, and live in a badly converted van with no bathroom or shower, and she's frustrated throughout the book that her dad won't give her a straight answer on why everything is happening.
She's accused of being un-fun, but she is stressed and sad for much of the story, both due to the changes in her life, but also due to the fact she is constantly in new situations that she is not quite sure are legal.
In one situation, she is being encouraged to enter an amusement park without paying for a ticket and being mocked a bit by an adult for being a spoil sport, and in another, she is afraid that they are parking their van in a place they are not supposed to be. Because of her dad's inability to articulate a plan, she is also very worried about what will happen when it's time to start school in a few weeks. All these things are valid concerns and it bothered me that her dad had a very carefree attitude towards them.
The van itself also concerned me - I've seen a lot of vans and tiny houses, and I know they can be done incredibly well. This... was not that. I'm not even sure what the dad and brother were working on for so long in the beginning of the book, because it seems like they just put in hammocks and a cooler and called it done. The 'van life' hashtag they kept throwing around just seemed to be trying to put a cute spin on what they actually were, which was homeless.
As the story progresses, we get more info on the dad and living situation. Dad has lost his job and subsequently lost their house to foreclosure and moved the kids into the van while he looks for work. They are traveling the country so that he can meet up with people he knows, who have previously said they would help him find a job. They finally end up at their dad's sister's house, who is angry that the dad has kept their hardships from her because she could have been able to help much sooner.
I felt really frustrated by the dad character. It was clear he was doing the best he could and trying to provide for his kids, but where was the ex wife in all of this? There should have been some form of child support, even if she had decided not to have custody or contact. The sister could have helped. Anything - but he kept all of his problems to himself and they kept snowballing.
I also recognize he was trying to prevent his kids from being anxious and sad, but Claire was those things already.
Overall - it wasn't a bad book, but not quite what I expected.
The quest for a fun, summer road trip book continues - this was a bit more depressing than a fun summer vacation in a van.
I really empathized with the main character, Claire, and she reminded me a lot of myself. She's had to leave her home, her best friends, and live in a badly converted van with no bathroom or shower, and she's frustrated throughout the book that her dad won't give her a straight answer on why everything is happening.
She's accused of being un-fun, but she is stressed and sad for much of the story, both due to the changes in her life, but also due to the fact she is constantly in new situations that she is not quite sure are legal.
In one situation, she is being encouraged to enter an amusement park without paying for a ticket and being mocked a bit by an adult for being a spoil sport, and in another, she is afraid that they are parking their van in a place they are not supposed to be. Because of her dad's inability to articulate a plan, she is also very worried about what will happen when it's time to start school in a few weeks. All these things are valid concerns and it bothered me that her dad had a very carefree attitude towards them.
The van itself also concerned me - I've seen a lot of vans and tiny houses, and I know they can be done incredibly well. This... was not that. I'm not even sure what the dad and brother were working on for so long in the beginning of the book, because it seems like they just put in hammocks and a cooler and called it done. The 'van life' hashtag they kept throwing around just seemed to be trying to put a cute spin on what they actually were, which was homeless.
As the story progresses, we get more info on the dad and living situation. Dad has lost his job and subsequently lost their house to foreclosure and moved the kids into the van while he looks for work. They are traveling the country so that he can meet up with people he knows, who have previously said they would help him find a job. They finally end up at their dad's sister's house, who is angry that the dad has kept their hardships from her because she could have been able to help much sooner.
I felt really frustrated by the dad character. It was clear he was doing the best he could and trying to provide for his kids, but where was the ex wife in all of this? There should have been some form of child support, even if she had decided not to have custody or contact. The sister could have helped. Anything - but he kept all of his problems to himself and they kept snowballing.
I also recognize he was trying to prevent his kids from being anxious and sad, but Claire was those things already.
Overall - it wasn't a bad book, but not quite what I expected.
April 21, 2020
I really enjoyed this story. I am sure middle grade readers will enjoy getting to know Claire and her family as they embark on a family adventure! They will never forget it and neither will readers. In fact, readers may want to embark on their own family adventure.
Claire is surprised when her dad sells their home and moves her, Patrick, her younger brother, and himself into a van that he has converted into a camper/van. The really wrong thing about this camper/van is that there is no bathroom! Patrick and Dad are excited to go on an adventure and Claire isn't happy about the prospects of this particular adventure. She has too many questions about the stories her dad has always told and she isn't really sure why he sold their home. Dad has always told amazing stories about how he met their mother, where their mother is now and just plain fantasy adventures. Patrick still loves them all and encourages dad to always be telling his stories. So, as they travel to visit friends of dad stories are told. As they visit various campgrounds they find others that live in campers/RVs/Vans who travel the USA. Claire learns the truth of their mother and why they are on this particular adventure she begins to do what she can to heal family relationships. Will she be able to help her father and the rest of the family?
February 11, 2020
Claire is twelve and her brother Patrick is eight, too young to understand that their mother left them with their dad after Claire discovered divorce papers after she'd gone.
Their dad 'sells' their house and buys a van for them to live in as they road trip around the people he knows from his past.
As Claire misses home, her friend Ronnie and her brother Mike who Claire crushes on, she wants to know, where is the summer heading, will they be finding their mum?
Her dad is a vivid storyteller and tells a continuous story as the book goes on too the kids and it was an adventure for sure as their dad takes them round his old friends and family members rebuilding relationships trying to move on and make things better for his kids. It was a great book to show how desperate times doesn't mean everything isn't salvageable and that moving on can be rough but positive for the future.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
Their dad 'sells' their house and buys a van for them to live in as they road trip around the people he knows from his past.
As Claire misses home, her friend Ronnie and her brother Mike who Claire crushes on, she wants to know, where is the summer heading, will they be finding their mum?
Her dad is a vivid storyteller and tells a continuous story as the book goes on too the kids and it was an adventure for sure as their dad takes them round his old friends and family members rebuilding relationships trying to move on and make things better for his kids. It was a great book to show how desperate times doesn't mean everything isn't salvageable and that moving on can be rough but positive for the future.
Many thanks to the publishers for allowing me to review this book for them!
February 5, 2024
Wrong Way Summer isn't a happy book. Claire is a 12 year old who lives with her father and younger brother. Her father tells jokes and fantastical stories and never wants to give a serious answer. But Claire has serious questions. About why her mom left years ago. About why they have to move so suddenly. Why she's the only one who thinks moving from a house into a van, to live in, is a crazy idea. She feels alone with these things she's been carrying, because her brother still laps up the spirit of adventure her dad invokes, and all of his stories of trolls and whimsy.
I found it very easy to empathize with Claire, having to be the "boring" voice of reason among the two other fun-seeking members of her family. And several times I got so annoyed at her dad, for how he was handling things. But when you get to the end, you realize - it might not be great, but he was doing the best he can. And at least those kids never doubted for a moment that they are supported and loved.
I found it very easy to empathize with Claire, having to be the "boring" voice of reason among the two other fun-seeking members of her family. And several times I got so annoyed at her dad, for how he was handling things. But when you get to the end, you realize - it might not be great, but he was doing the best he can. And at least those kids never doubted for a moment that they are supported and loved.
November 19, 2020
Claire used to enjoy her father's fanciful stories, often used to explain her mother's absence or divert her attention when she would start to ask questions. But now that she's 12, she see wants real answers and feels she deserves to know the truth about things, and begins to resent her father's refusal to deal with reality. When her father suddenly announces that they are selling their house and going on a Grand Adventure living in a converted van, she knows there is more going on. Will her father ever stop hiding behind his stories and be honest?
Kids will probably enjoy the adventure aspect, but as an adult I had a hard time getting past my anger and frustration with Claire's father's refusal to deal with reality and recognize that his daughter needed to know the truth. He seemed selfish and immature in many ways/
Kids will probably enjoy the adventure aspect, but as an adult I had a hard time getting past my anger and frustration with Claire's father's refusal to deal with reality and recognize that his daughter needed to know the truth. He seemed selfish and immature in many ways/
July 13, 2020
This is probably one of my favorite reads so far this summer. It's about an unusual road trip and an interesting family. I couldn't put it down, but I think that's because I was so invested in the characters, especially Claire and her father right from the start. It's also one of the most realistic portrayals I've seen of what it's like for families who are struggling financially. But never fear, it has a wonderfully hopeful ending and a lot of heart.
For a more detailed review: https://jennienzor.blogspot.com/2020/...
For a more detailed review: https://jennienzor.blogspot.com/2020/...
May 8, 2024
When Claire's father sells the house and has them move into a van Claire refuses to make light of all the changes to her life. As the small family travels from place to place Claire is faced with the most difficult choice of her life:
Will she play along with her father's stories or force her family to face reality for good?
This was a great summer read and I loved learning about the people who make their lives in vans and travel. It honestly sounds like something I would enjoy doing. (If only I had a van!) This is a book I will totally be recommending.
Will she play along with her father's stories or force her family to face reality for good?
This was a great summer read and I loved learning about the people who make their lives in vans and travel. It honestly sounds like something I would enjoy doing. (If only I had a van!) This is a book I will totally be recommending.
June 14, 2025
Wrong Way Summer: three stars. Claire and her little brother deal with their frustrating and secretive father during a summer spent living in a van. Realistic (if sometimes repetitive) dialogue and fairly quick pacing. Comparing this to other middle-grade road-trip stories, this one doesn't quite have the humor of When I Hit the Road or the deep emotion of the Coyote Sunrise books, but Lang does present a thought-provoking and appropriately complex view of houselessness that I appreciated. A decent pick for fans of kids' books about family issues.
May 20, 2020
WRONG WAY SUMMER by Heidi Lang melted my heart. When Claire's dad enthusiastically embraces #vanlife, she suspects there's more to the story. Claire's strength and ability to see past the surface made me love her. Her dad's stories were lovely and made me think of HOLES. This book calls attention to tough topics like unreliable adults and homelessness in a relatable way. Be sure to read the author's note! P.S. It was cool to see a cameo from Wes (RULES OF THE RUFF)!
December 6, 2020
I picked this book because I've always wanted to live in a van. While I'm not too fond of story-in-a-story concepts most times, this book really did it cleanly, everything in here was done in a realistic way, like when **spoiler**, they found their mother but their family didn't just magically reunite because their mother had moved on, overall, this could be a nice chapter-by-chapter book to read with a kid at night
April 19, 2020
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book early. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the storytelling aspect of this book and I can think of a few of my students who would absolutely love this story.
However, for me it felt a little slow at times and I found myself not that invested in the characters and what was happening in the story.
I enjoyed the storytelling aspect of this book and I can think of a few of my students who would absolutely love this story.
However, for me it felt a little slow at times and I found myself not that invested in the characters and what was happening in the story.
September 4, 2020
Precocious 12 year old protagonist who is more mature than her somewhat irresponsible and escapist parents. They ‘travelled’ too quickly through states such that there seemed to be ‘mental gaps’ in the story but overall worth reading.
September 18, 2020
Both the trek and the story seemed chaotic and disjointed. I kept thinking the story would have worked better in first person. The best part of the story was the humorous aspects of the relationship between Claire, Patrick and their father.
January 7, 2021
I enjoyed this book but was confused by it
July 26, 2021
Cute story about a dad who takes his kids on an adventure. The storytelling of the dad I found a bit boring.
January 23, 2020
The story: Claire’s unemployed dad Scottie has always been in search of The Grand Adventure, but even Claire is astounded when he converts a Sprinter van into a camper (without plumbing!!!) and sells their home, telling Claire and her younger brother Patrick that it’s time to hit the road and find their own grand adventure. When their trip accidentally reconnects them with the mother who abandoned them long ago, Claire learns that family is as much the people you choose as those who are related by blood.
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (abandonment, unemployment, homelessness) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: Hand this one to kids who enjoyed Dan Gemeinhart's "The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise".
June Cleaver's ratings: Language PG; Violence G; Sexual content G; Nudity G; Substance abuse PG; Magic & the occult G; GLBT content G; adult themes (abandonment, unemployment, homelessness) PG; overall rating PG.
Liz's comments: Hand this one to kids who enjoyed Dan Gemeinhart's "The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise".
February 16, 2020
This book drew me in and wouldn't let go until it had finished. I was struck with the thought that even though this would be considered a "character driven" story as Claire, her younger brother Patrick, and her annoyingly cheerful dad learn how to accept that stories don't always end the way that you would like, the mystery and adventure built into their Grand Adventure kept me guessing and on the edge of my seat the entire time.
Ever since Claire's dad found her looking at the divorce papers he had hidden away, they haven't discussed it even once. Instead he spins fantastical tales of space ships buried in the backyard or trolls in the woods. Frustrated that her dad will never tell her anything "true", Claire does not believe his Grand Adventure to live the #vanlife and travel the country is what he says it is. But why are they selling their home and moving into a van? Why are they traveling all around so he can meet up with mysterious people from his past? And why won't he ever just tell the truth? On the journey, Claire learns that within every story is the truth if you know where to look for it.
The story-telling was superb, the relationship between Claire and her father was spot on, the first crushes were embarrassingly accurate, and the truth was full of heartbreak and hope. Thanks for sharing an ARC with #LitReviewCrew. It was a pleasure to read, and all thoughts are my own.
Ever since Claire's dad found her looking at the divorce papers he had hidden away, they haven't discussed it even once. Instead he spins fantastical tales of space ships buried in the backyard or trolls in the woods. Frustrated that her dad will never tell her anything "true", Claire does not believe his Grand Adventure to live the #vanlife and travel the country is what he says it is. But why are they selling their home and moving into a van? Why are they traveling all around so he can meet up with mysterious people from his past? And why won't he ever just tell the truth? On the journey, Claire learns that within every story is the truth if you know where to look for it.
The story-telling was superb, the relationship between Claire and her father was spot on, the first crushes were embarrassingly accurate, and the truth was full of heartbreak and hope. Thanks for sharing an ARC with #LitReviewCrew. It was a pleasure to read, and all thoughts are my own.
August 17, 2022
Read before, but it is pretty good. I thought that Evangeline Rose maybe wanted freedom
August 6, 2020
Out of the blue, Claire's dad announces that he's going to convert the family van into a livable space and they're going to hit the road: he, 12-year-old Claire, and her little brother. Claire's not crazy about the idea, but she has no choice except to go along. Many truths are revealed to her during the road trip. Claire is learning that the truth is something her father has always shied away from. He's always been a fabulous storyteller, imagining a tale for everything that happens in their lives. Now that she's 12, Claire wants the truth and no more make-believe. Is her father able to dish out the truth as easily as he tells stories? Is Claire strong enough to learn what's really been going on in her family? Maybe going the wrong way long enough will turn you in the right direction.
January 3, 2020
Thank you Heidi Lang for sharing your book with the LitReviewCrew.
#hashtagvanlife Lang’s writing drew me in with its beautiful descriptive language, humor, tall tales, tension, mystery, and adventure. She kept me reading and I could not put this book down. The character development was strong and I loved the emphasis on family, home, and identity. Also, the part where the Claire thinks she’s bad at something, but starts doing it anyway and seeing how she actually is good at it is a great message for us all to hear. Do what you love, even if it isn’t perfect.
#hashtagvanlife Lang’s writing drew me in with its beautiful descriptive language, humor, tall tales, tension, mystery, and adventure. She kept me reading and I could not put this book down. The character development was strong and I loved the emphasis on family, home, and identity. Also, the part where the Claire thinks she’s bad at something, but starts doing it anyway and seeing how she actually is good at it is a great message for us all to hear. Do what you love, even if it isn’t perfect.
November 16, 2019
Thank you to the author for sharing an ARC with Collabookation.
Claire's father has always spun elaborate and fantastic stories to entertain Claire and her brother, Patrick. So when he decides to get a van, convert it, and hit the road after selling their house, Patrick is entranced by the idea. Claire, not so much. She has started to see that his stories are just that. In fact, sometimes his stories get in the way of the truth. On a road trip to nowhere, Claire has to figure out just how to know what's fact and what's fiction, and the truth can be darn difficult.
I loved the stories inside this story - Claire's dad has a real knack for storytelling, and without spoiling anything I can say that Claire shares this talent. I loved Claire's misery about #vanlife, and the wonderful dynamic between this small family. Her father and brother drive her crazy, and she them, but the love they have for eachother is fierce and true. I loved Claire's confidence that she could search for the truth of her life without hurting her father or their relationship.
This book strikes so many chords, and it was truly a pleasure to ride around in that van with the Jacobus family. Reminiscent of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise and Walk Two Moons, I recommend this book to people in grade 5 and up.
Claire's father has always spun elaborate and fantastic stories to entertain Claire and her brother, Patrick. So when he decides to get a van, convert it, and hit the road after selling their house, Patrick is entranced by the idea. Claire, not so much. She has started to see that his stories are just that. In fact, sometimes his stories get in the way of the truth. On a road trip to nowhere, Claire has to figure out just how to know what's fact and what's fiction, and the truth can be darn difficult.
I loved the stories inside this story - Claire's dad has a real knack for storytelling, and without spoiling anything I can say that Claire shares this talent. I loved Claire's misery about #vanlife, and the wonderful dynamic between this small family. Her father and brother drive her crazy, and she them, but the love they have for eachother is fierce and true. I loved Claire's confidence that she could search for the truth of her life without hurting her father or their relationship.
This book strikes so many chords, and it was truly a pleasure to ride around in that van with the Jacobus family. Reminiscent of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise and Walk Two Moons, I recommend this book to people in grade 5 and up.
January 1, 2020
Wonderful book full of heartache and humor. My favorite Heidi Lang book to date.
September 25, 2019
I was fortunate enough to have read an Advanced Reader Copy of this book, and I loved this heart-warming book. It combines the power of story, an adventurous trip across the country, a quirky, lovable family, and the discovery of what makes a home.
I especially loved seeing how this book weaves the fantastical stories that Claire's dad tells through the narrative as a way to show how the relationships that Claire has with her dad and her brother Patrick evolve throughout the story. The adventures that this family has in their van felt very authentic and were such a joy to read. It made me want to take my own road-trip. I highly recommend this book.
I especially loved seeing how this book weaves the fantastical stories that Claire's dad tells through the narrative as a way to show how the relationships that Claire has with her dad and her brother Patrick evolve throughout the story. The adventures that this family has in their van felt very authentic and were such a joy to read. It made me want to take my own road-trip. I highly recommend this book.
October 8, 2019
Claire leaves everything she knows and lives/travels in a van with her dad and brother. Her dad is a great storyteller but avoids talking about reality. Their adventure reminds me of Coyote Summer and A Girl Called Bicycle. LOL Funny as they banter back and forth. #bookexcursion @HiDLang
April 26, 2023
3.5 stars 🌟
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