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Summer and July
From the critically acclaimed author of Train I Ride and Echo’s Sister comes a moving story of friendship between two girls looking for some happiness in a world that can be a little cruel. Perfect for fans of Rebecca Stead, Ali Standish, and Erin Entrada Kelly.
Twelve-year-old Juillet is preparing for the worst summer ever. She and her mom are staying in the seaside neighborhood of Ocean Park, California, for a month, where her mom will be working at the local hospital and Juillet will be on her own, like always.
Her dad is off in Europe with his new girlfriend, and her best friend, Fern . . . well, Juiller isn’t allowed to talk to Fern anymore. Fern took the blame for Juillet’s goth-girl clothes and “not-real” fears, like sharks and rip currents and the number three.
Then Juillet meets Summer, a local surfer girl who knows the coolest people and places around town. With free-spirited and adventurous Summer, Juillet begins to come out of her shell and face the things weighing her down. But when Summer reveals her own painful secret, it’s Juillet’s turn to be the strong and supportive friend.
Twelve-year-old Juillet is preparing for the worst summer ever. She and her mom are staying in the seaside neighborhood of Ocean Park, California, for a month, where her mom will be working at the local hospital and Juillet will be on her own, like always.
Her dad is off in Europe with his new girlfriend, and her best friend, Fern . . . well, Juiller isn’t allowed to talk to Fern anymore. Fern took the blame for Juillet’s goth-girl clothes and “not-real” fears, like sharks and rip currents and the number three.
Then Juillet meets Summer, a local surfer girl who knows the coolest people and places around town. With free-spirited and adventurous Summer, Juillet begins to come out of her shell and face the things weighing her down. But when Summer reveals her own painful secret, it’s Juillet’s turn to be the strong and supportive friend.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2020
45 people are currently reading
5713 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 111 reviews
March 22, 2020
When I finished writing this book I felt it was the best thing I’d ever done, and Summer was my favorite character. I’ve had a lot of ups and downs since that day—more downs than ups—but I am going to give it the five star review that i felt so sure of on the day it was finished, when everything seemed golden. I hope it ends up being your best summer ever.
June 24, 2021
This was such a cute and adorable read!!! ❤️❤️❤️ The best ENFP + INTJ story!!! 😍😍
“Only the best kind of friends can say good night without saying good night, knowing for certain that they’ll be together again at the same spot on the same sidewalk the very next day.”
Juillet and her mom move to Dog Town in California for a month, where her mother is going to work at a local hospital. Juillet has a lot of anger and pain inside her because her father left them for another woman and her mother has forbidden Juillet to hang out with her best friend, Fern, because she feels Fern holds Juillet back, which has engraved a lot of skepticism and fear in Juillet and she's missing out a lot because of this anxiety.
But Juillet's perspective towards life changes when she meets Summer, a local girl who is full of life and does not want to miss out on an adventure. Her excitement and positivity is infectious and she slowly and steadily helps Juillet see that there can be more to the world than she thinks. She helps Juillet overcome her fears and do things that could bring her joy - and it was all sooo beautiful to read!
“It’s not about how many times you fall down,” she says. “It’s about getting back up, over and over until you feel you were born with wheels for feet.”
I loved how the two girls supported each other, encouraged each other and tried to bring out the best in one another. I loved how the story dealt with some deep and challenging issues and yet did not drag them through a bed of nails. It talks about divorce/separation, anxiety, loss of a special one, exploring your sexual orientation, and much more. But it was all dealt with respect which makes it fitting for middle-grade.
“When the perfect wave comes, you’ve got to be ready to catch it.”
Also, the setting of the story is absolutely beautiful! All the surfing followed by ice creams or onion rings makes me yearn for beach vacation just so that I can have salt water hair. The writing style is amazing. It's light and easy to get through, which made it into a very easy and fast read.
“Only the best kind of friends can say good night without saying good night, knowing for certain that they’ll be together again at the same spot on the same sidewalk the very next day.”
Juillet and her mom move to Dog Town in California for a month, where her mother is going to work at a local hospital. Juillet has a lot of anger and pain inside her because her father left them for another woman and her mother has forbidden Juillet to hang out with her best friend, Fern, because she feels Fern holds Juillet back, which has engraved a lot of skepticism and fear in Juillet and she's missing out a lot because of this anxiety.
But Juillet's perspective towards life changes when she meets Summer, a local girl who is full of life and does not want to miss out on an adventure. Her excitement and positivity is infectious and she slowly and steadily helps Juillet see that there can be more to the world than she thinks. She helps Juillet overcome her fears and do things that could bring her joy - and it was all sooo beautiful to read!
“It’s not about how many times you fall down,” she says. “It’s about getting back up, over and over until you feel you were born with wheels for feet.”
I loved how the two girls supported each other, encouraged each other and tried to bring out the best in one another. I loved how the story dealt with some deep and challenging issues and yet did not drag them through a bed of nails. It talks about divorce/separation, anxiety, loss of a special one, exploring your sexual orientation, and much more. But it was all dealt with respect which makes it fitting for middle-grade.
“When the perfect wave comes, you’ve got to be ready to catch it.”
Also, the setting of the story is absolutely beautiful! All the surfing followed by ice creams or onion rings makes me yearn for beach vacation just so that I can have salt water hair. The writing style is amazing. It's light and easy to get through, which made it into a very easy and fast read.
December 29, 2019
I received an ARC book and plunged right in. Here is my review.
So what do you get when you mix
-a summer beach vacation
-a surfer girl, and a self-proclaimed goth girl humorously fearful of flying, the number three, and sharks.
-both who are dealing with a hurt
A well-written book filled with setting details that make you need to look up to be sure you are not at the beach.
Warning-Make sure you have plenty of ice cream in the freezer when you read this. I don't even eat pistachio, and I needed a scoop at least twice.
What I loved most about this book is that Paul Mosier dealt with some deep and challenging subject matter with respect. Not to spoil the story-line, but he chooses not to dwell on details of how some things the characters do are possible--specifically with Hank. Still, for a parent who experienced a similar heart-wrenching conflict with a son like Hank, I appreciated this gloss over for the message of giving all you have left, making the hard choice for love.
The plot is multi-layered and addresses several experiences for those looking for books with the following. Divorce. Fears. Tip-toeing into a same-sex first crush. Special needs. Loss. Hope.
A must read.
So what do you get when you mix
-a summer beach vacation
-a surfer girl, and a self-proclaimed goth girl humorously fearful of flying, the number three, and sharks.
-both who are dealing with a hurt
A well-written book filled with setting details that make you need to look up to be sure you are not at the beach.
Warning-Make sure you have plenty of ice cream in the freezer when you read this. I don't even eat pistachio, and I needed a scoop at least twice.
What I loved most about this book is that Paul Mosier dealt with some deep and challenging subject matter with respect. Not to spoil the story-line, but he chooses not to dwell on details of how some things the characters do are possible--specifically with Hank. Still, for a parent who experienced a similar heart-wrenching conflict with a son like Hank, I appreciated this gloss over for the message of giving all you have left, making the hard choice for love.
The plot is multi-layered and addresses several experiences for those looking for books with the following. Divorce. Fears. Tip-toeing into a same-sex first crush. Special needs. Loss. Hope.
A must read.
August 15, 2021
It starts out meh, but at some point you get completely dragged into their story. So cute, so sad, so... surferesque.
August 31, 2020
"It’s a relief.
It’s heartbreaking.
I don’t know what it is."
wow it was so cute and fantastic! i started reading this one without knowing it was about twelve/thirteen years old but i can say for sure that everybody in any age can read this book, it's amazing, fresh and kind of gentle, making readers feel like they are in a summer day!
It’s heartbreaking.
I don’t know what it is."
wow it was so cute and fantastic! i started reading this one without knowing it was about twelve/thirteen years old but i can say for sure that everybody in any age can read this book, it's amazing, fresh and kind of gentle, making readers feel like they are in a summer day!
February 8, 2021
I was a beta reader for this middle grade novel back in Summer 2017, and I cannot tell you what a completely different book it is! In fact, it was wild and kinda surreal reading it in its final iteration, knowing what had been eliminated, what had been elaborated on, and how the plot evolved.
Out of curiosity, I pulled up the notes I had sent Mosier almost four years ago. I read through them and chuckled a little bit. I certainly didn't hate that draft, but I had a lot of thoughts. A lot. To his credit, Mosier took them in stride. I was... a bit much.
I'm happy to report that I like this, the definitive version, better than the draft I read. And the parts that I loved most (Hank, the postcards) all happily made it through the drafts. Hurrah!
Real Summer and July™ is funnier (Happy taking Sad for a walk got a laugh out of me); Julliet's relationship with her mother is more fully fleshed out; the Hank Sequence is way more powerful - the Dawn Patrol toward the end feels more earned. Julliet's voice is fresh and amusing, Summer's pain that she hides behind her Manic Pixie Dreamgirl act feels authentically contextualized, and Santa Monica bursts to life. In the times of COVID and Not Going To Restaurants, the novel also occasionally borders on food porn, which is just fine with me.
This was the perfect, breezy, summery novel to read on a 12º afternoon.
Also, page 115 was a thrill. Thanks, Paul, for the Easter egg. What an absolute honor.
Out of curiosity, I pulled up the notes I had sent Mosier almost four years ago. I read through them and chuckled a little bit. I certainly didn't hate that draft, but I had a lot of thoughts. A lot. To his credit, Mosier took them in stride. I was... a bit much.
I'm happy to report that I like this, the definitive version, better than the draft I read. And the parts that I loved most (Hank, the postcards) all happily made it through the drafts. Hurrah!
Real Summer and July™ is funnier (Happy taking Sad for a walk got a laugh out of me); Julliet's relationship with her mother is more fully fleshed out; the Hank Sequence is way more powerful - the Dawn Patrol toward the end feels more earned. Julliet's voice is fresh and amusing, Summer's pain that she hides behind her Manic Pixie Dreamgirl act feels authentically contextualized, and Santa Monica bursts to life. In the times of COVID and Not Going To Restaurants, the novel also occasionally borders on food porn, which is just fine with me.
This was the perfect, breezy, summery novel to read on a 12º afternoon.
Also, page 115 was a thrill. Thanks, Paul, for the Easter egg. What an absolute honor.
August 31, 2022
początek tak średnio mi się podobał, trochę mnie zniechęcił do słuchania tego dalej ale na szczęście jakoś się zmusiłem i to była naprawdę dobra decyzja. fabuła jest naprawdę słodka i całkiem ciekawa, a akcja idzie całkiem szybko. końcówka w ogóle jest przesłodka kocham ja całym sercem. bohaterowie są tez cudowni. July and Summer po prostu świetne postacie i w ogóle mnie nie irytowały ani razu wiec naprawdę wow. język jest całkiem łatwy wiec super się słuchało. nie mam pojęcia co mam tu więcej napisać, jeśli miałbym opcje usunięcia sobie z pamięci ta książki i moc przesłuchać ja jeszcze raz na pewno bym to zrobił.
September 6, 2022
This was a cute summer story about a girl dealing with upheaval in her life and figuring out who she wants to be. Juillet is suffering after her dad suddenly left their family for a younger woman, then her mom brought her to California, separating her from her one friend. Luckily for Juillet, Summer immediately befriends her and starts showing her around the town. Watching the girls go boogie boarding, surfing, and run around the boardwalk made me want to take a trip to the beach so badly. The girls made friends, ate good food, and seemed to have a pretty great summer.
There are a couple of heavier topics, like grief, loss, and feeling abandoned. I thought they were addressed pretty well, though I wish the ending had a bit more resolution.
There are a couple of heavier topics, like grief, loss, and feeling abandoned. I thought they were addressed pretty well, though I wish the ending had a bit more resolution.
July 24, 2025
Very sweet and thoughtful coming of age story. Digs into tough topics for tweens…divorce, siblings, friend relationships, even wanting to be invisible to others and how some deal with it.
I really enjoyed it!
I really enjoyed it!
September 1, 2020
This was so delightful and wonderful and summery, and happy, and emotional, and just... EVERYTHING. I loved the setting and beach atmosphere - it made me miss the ocean SO HARD. The surf culture was great to learn and read about. And the girls' friendship was so well established and rounded and I'm glad it went exactly where I thought it would go. It grew in a very beautiful and believable way. I highly recommend.
July 1, 2020
This book is so much fun to read- wonderful summer imagery. Makes me want to hit Santa Monica immediately for a fun summer vacation. It’s also an incredibly touching account of friendship and healing, of overcoming fear, sadness and of growing in to the person we want to be. Loved it.
July 5, 2019
Refreshing, heartbreaking, and memorable. Paul Mosier always gives my heart exactly what it needs. Love all of his little bluebirds.
- - - - - - - -
“I look happy. Maybe I really am.”
“Thank you,” she says.
“For what?”
Summer raises her arms, gesturing to our surroundings, gathering all of it in. “For sharing this with me. For helping me remember that it’s worth sharing.”
“Apology accepted. And circumstances understood.”
"It doesn’t seem like a problem that can’t be solved. It feels like a problem that you are solving, right then."
“Sorry for everything I’ve done wrong,” she says.
I don’t want her to feel that way. I really don’t.
“Maybe,” I begin, “you just didn’t have a chance to come up for a breath yet.”
"I feel it all."
Sea, swallow me.
- - - - - - - -
“I look happy. Maybe I really am.”
“Thank you,” she says.
“For what?”
Summer raises her arms, gesturing to our surroundings, gathering all of it in. “For sharing this with me. For helping me remember that it’s worth sharing.”
“Apology accepted. And circumstances understood.”
"It doesn’t seem like a problem that can’t be solved. It feels like a problem that you are solving, right then."
“Sorry for everything I’ve done wrong,” she says.
I don’t want her to feel that way. I really don’t.
“Maybe,” I begin, “you just didn’t have a chance to come up for a breath yet.”
"I feel it all."
Sea, swallow me.
June 14, 2020
Juillet is having the worst summer of her life after her father runs away to Europe with his new girlfriend, until she meets the free-spirited, adventurous Summer who helps her confront her fears and maybe even catch a wave! I had the great pleasure of narrating the audiobook version of Summer and July and I loved it! The characters are endearing and subtle and you feel for all of their hardships and revel in their joys. This book is both entertaining and moving, a perfect summer read!
July 14, 2020
I LOVED this book! Summer and July is the perfect summer read, featuring 2 friends in an adorable beach town called Ocean Park. Summer has lived there all her life, and when Julliet shows up for the month of July they become best friends. Summer helps her get past her many fears and brings out her adventurous side, but when Julliet kisses her without thinking, things get a little awkward. Julliet finally catches her first wave and the friends reunite, and the spark between them grows, making them a little more than just friends. This is such a great book and an amazing summer read!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 31, 2025
such a cute little middle grade read!
December 17, 2020
4 stars :)
Wow. This book gave me shivers down my spine, tears down my face, a smile on my lips. It was truly heartfelt and extremely emotional.
I'm keeping this short and sweet, just like the book. I completely recommend it, but be ready for a roller coaster of emotions!
Wow. This book gave me shivers down my spine, tears down my face, a smile on my lips. It was truly heartfelt and extremely emotional.
I'm keeping this short and sweet, just like the book. I completely recommend it, but be ready for a roller coaster of emotions!
February 23, 2018
Thank you to Paul Mosier for allowing me to beta read Summer and July.
Taking place over the span of one month, Summer and July is a book of transformations. Changing from the person you are, as a result of all your experiences, into the person you want to be ~ with the help of a stranger turned friend. Shouldn't every adolescent have the opportunity to see themselves through someone else’s eyes? Someone fresh and new, with no preconceived notions?
Juillet has this chance with Summer on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. They're largely left to their own devices, and it's glorious. Juillet starts off a goth princess, hilariously miserable, fearing death at every turn. When carefree surfer girl Summer saunters into her life, Juillet reluctantly lets her lead the way.
We learn just enough backstory on each girl to know they've each been betrayed, and they're still hurting. But the magic in this novel is how present it is. Formatted day by day, the reader has the pleasure of waking each morning with Juillet, looking forward to the day ahead (and dreading the end of the month). The focus isn't on the backstories, but on the new world they create together, and how it'll move them forward. The joy is not the actual healing of betrayals, but in being a part of Summer and Juillet learning that healing is possible. There are so many sadnesses in the world, but for every sorrow, there will also be joy.
In typical Paul Mosier style, there are stunningly simple sentences embedded throughout that contain such knowledge and emotion they stop the reader in their tracks.
Paul Mosier has done it again: told a beautiful story you want to live inside of, while spreading nuggets of profound simplicity throughout. Five out of five stars for Summer and July.
Taking place over the span of one month, Summer and July is a book of transformations. Changing from the person you are, as a result of all your experiences, into the person you want to be ~ with the help of a stranger turned friend. Shouldn't every adolescent have the opportunity to see themselves through someone else’s eyes? Someone fresh and new, with no preconceived notions?
Juillet has this chance with Summer on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. They're largely left to their own devices, and it's glorious. Juillet starts off a goth princess, hilariously miserable, fearing death at every turn. When carefree surfer girl Summer saunters into her life, Juillet reluctantly lets her lead the way.
We learn just enough backstory on each girl to know they've each been betrayed, and they're still hurting. But the magic in this novel is how present it is. Formatted day by day, the reader has the pleasure of waking each morning with Juillet, looking forward to the day ahead (and dreading the end of the month). The focus isn't on the backstories, but on the new world they create together, and how it'll move them forward. The joy is not the actual healing of betrayals, but in being a part of Summer and Juillet learning that healing is possible. There are so many sadnesses in the world, but for every sorrow, there will also be joy.
In typical Paul Mosier style, there are stunningly simple sentences embedded throughout that contain such knowledge and emotion they stop the reader in their tracks.
Paul Mosier has done it again: told a beautiful story you want to live inside of, while spreading nuggets of profound simplicity throughout. Five out of five stars for Summer and July.
July 4, 2020
Thank you to Edelweiss+ and the publisher for an eARC of this book.
This is one of those books that I'd recommend if asked for a summer read.
Juillet and her mom arrive in a small beach town for a holiday for the month of July, and Juillet befriends a local girl named Summer. It's with Summer's influence that Juillet is able to come out of the protective shell and open up her heart again after her dad's departure. There was something very beautiful about watching Summer's extroverted energy slowly seep into Juillet like the sun did on her pale skin. I loved watching both girls connected with each other and seeing how that changed each of them in that short time. It was a quintessential summer fling to the reader, and yet both girls are dramatically influenced by their time together.
This is one of those books that I'd recommend if asked for a summer read.
Juillet and her mom arrive in a small beach town for a holiday for the month of July, and Juillet befriends a local girl named Summer. It's with Summer's influence that Juillet is able to come out of the protective shell and open up her heart again after her dad's departure. There was something very beautiful about watching Summer's extroverted energy slowly seep into Juillet like the sun did on her pale skin. I loved watching both girls connected with each other and seeing how that changed each of them in that short time. It was a quintessential summer fling to the reader, and yet both girls are dramatically influenced by their time together.
August 17, 2021
This was a beautiful story of two teen girls who develop a very strong bond over the course of a summer. Julliet is a teen goth girl who finds herself in California when her Mom takes a teaching residency at a hospital. Summer extends an invitation to Julliet's to hang out and the two set a goal of teaching Julliet how to surf. While Julliet outwardly is the one dressed in black, as the story unfolds it's revealed that both girls are carrying some darkness in their lives. Through the time the two girls share that summer, they share their deepest secrets along with a lot of time on the ocean waves. Their lives become forever changed for the better through the experience of Julliet's wildest summer.
October 6, 2020
Stop everything you're doing and go fetch this wonderful book by the talented Paul Mosier. Not kidding. It's full of heartbreaking truth, vivid descriptions and characters close to life. It's a soft spoken lesson on being brave, listening and being who you are. And there's surfing and summer in it. If there's a kid out there that is important to you - it needs this book. It's going to break your heart but mend it at the same time and make you a bit more of the person you're aspiring to be. Loved every bit of it!
July 3, 2020
I felt like I was right there at the sea: feeling the sun in my hair, smelling the salt in the air, seeing the waves roll in. What a fantastic MG book filled with a perfect balance of hurt, healing & hope!
March 19, 2020
Submitting my review to School Library Journal in the next few days
August 17, 2020
It's July 1st and Goth girl Julliet, 12, is on a plane with her mother traveling from Michigan to Ocean Park, California, where her mom, a doctor, will be working in an ER. Julliet's parents are divorced, and her dad is in Switzerland with his new younger girlfriend. Julliet is also a girl who is fraught with fears, all shared with her best friend Fern, whom she is forbidden to hang out with after a misunderstanding.
On her first morning, Julliet finds a note from her mom listing possible goals for her, including exercise, fresh air and work on her fears. Later, she meets Summer, an energetic surfer girl who wants to be friends. At first reluctant, Julliet, whom Summer insists on calling "Betty," slowly begins to warm up to Summer, and Summer for her part, patiently puts up with Julliet fears, while slowly, and even more patiently helping her deal with them.
At first, they simply walk around town, checking out stores and just hanging out. Summer, who lives year round in Ocean Park knows everyone. Like Julliet, she's mostly on her own because her parents both work. Eventually, Summer gets Julliet to go to the beach and into the water, introducing her to surfing culture. Always at her side when Julliet confronts a fear, the two begin with skateboarding at the beach, then graduate to boogie boarding, all the while continuing to pal around, visiting to Santa Monica pier, and just having fun. But once in a while, Summer isn't available and Julliet wonders why. It seems Summer has a secret and isn't ready to share it with Julliet, at least not until Julliet is ready to finally try surfing.
I don't think I've read a good surfing book since I found my sister's old copy of Gidget in the late 70s. So surfing culture isn't exactly something I'm up on. But I am a girl who spent summers on the Jersey shore, and I do love the ocean, and enjoyed reading a book that is set in an ocean community. In fact, the setting in Summer and July is so realistic, I could practically feel the sand and smell the salty ocean breeze.
I loved reading Julliet's transformation as she became more of a Betty, as her "fears" dropped away and she seemed to feel a much less antagonistic towards her mother. Her summer with Summer gives her a confidence that she lacked before arriving in Ocean Park, even allowing her to explore her sexuality. To his credit, Mosier never lets the reader think that Julliet's fears and her Goth look are anything more than an affectation she's picked up from Fern and defense mechanism which suits her anger at her parents for divorcing and the way they dealt with the aftermath of that divorce. Right from the start, it's clear there is someone else under the heavy black eye make up and clothing.
Summer, on the other hand, is such charming, natural, and kind character without any of the shallowness you might associate with pretty blond surfer girls. Summer has an inner strength that enables her to face everyday with a smile and a positive attitude, despite what has happened in her family. And it's this inner strength that she uncovers in Julliet. I also think that by always calling her Betty, she gives Julliet the freedom she needs to find herself away from her everyday life.
Summer and July is an textured, multilayered coming of age story that turned out to be one of the most satisfying books I've read this summer.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book was an EARC gratefully received from Edelweiss+
On her first morning, Julliet finds a note from her mom listing possible goals for her, including exercise, fresh air and work on her fears. Later, she meets Summer, an energetic surfer girl who wants to be friends. At first reluctant, Julliet, whom Summer insists on calling "Betty," slowly begins to warm up to Summer, and Summer for her part, patiently puts up with Julliet fears, while slowly, and even more patiently helping her deal with them.
At first, they simply walk around town, checking out stores and just hanging out. Summer, who lives year round in Ocean Park knows everyone. Like Julliet, she's mostly on her own because her parents both work. Eventually, Summer gets Julliet to go to the beach and into the water, introducing her to surfing culture. Always at her side when Julliet confronts a fear, the two begin with skateboarding at the beach, then graduate to boogie boarding, all the while continuing to pal around, visiting to Santa Monica pier, and just having fun. But once in a while, Summer isn't available and Julliet wonders why. It seems Summer has a secret and isn't ready to share it with Julliet, at least not until Julliet is ready to finally try surfing.
I don't think I've read a good surfing book since I found my sister's old copy of Gidget in the late 70s. So surfing culture isn't exactly something I'm up on. But I am a girl who spent summers on the Jersey shore, and I do love the ocean, and enjoyed reading a book that is set in an ocean community. In fact, the setting in Summer and July is so realistic, I could practically feel the sand and smell the salty ocean breeze.
I loved reading Julliet's transformation as she became more of a Betty, as her "fears" dropped away and she seemed to feel a much less antagonistic towards her mother. Her summer with Summer gives her a confidence that she lacked before arriving in Ocean Park, even allowing her to explore her sexuality. To his credit, Mosier never lets the reader think that Julliet's fears and her Goth look are anything more than an affectation she's picked up from Fern and defense mechanism which suits her anger at her parents for divorcing and the way they dealt with the aftermath of that divorce. Right from the start, it's clear there is someone else under the heavy black eye make up and clothing.
Summer, on the other hand, is such charming, natural, and kind character without any of the shallowness you might associate with pretty blond surfer girls. Summer has an inner strength that enables her to face everyday with a smile and a positive attitude, despite what has happened in her family. And it's this inner strength that she uncovers in Julliet. I also think that by always calling her Betty, she gives Julliet the freedom she needs to find herself away from her everyday life.
Summer and July is an textured, multilayered coming of age story that turned out to be one of the most satisfying books I've read this summer.
This book is recommended for readers age 10+
This book was an EARC gratefully received from Edelweiss+
June 28, 2020
'Summer and July' by Paul Mosier is a beautifully written story perfect for summer reading. Readers will find themselves immersed in the novel, navigating the streets of Santa Monica and the waves of the ocean as Juillet finds her footing, both figuratively and literally. When she moves to California for the month of July with her mom, she is anything but excited about anything positive happening to her. She's already depressed about her parents' divorce, her dad's new girlfriend, the fact that her mom is going to be spending so much time away from her for work, and the fact that her best friend from home, Fern, thinks she's been ditched. Life is anything but sunshine and happiness, until she meets Summer, the peppy, pretty, kind girl who befriends Juillet and makes her feel more at home than she might have ever felt before.
Set against the backdrop of Beach Boys music and an intense month of learning about oneself, Juillet and Summer show each other each and every day what it means to be a friend. They help each other deal with troubles, some which they have been struggling to conquer. When Summer reveals her own solemn issues, Juillet realizes that however big her own problems seem to be, there is always someone else with something equally, if not more, important that they themselves are dealing with, and everyone is worthy of being heard, cared for, and understood.
No one said life as a tween, or even as a teen, is easy, and Juillet and Summer show that, despite their youth, they are more than capable of raising each other up and learning to grow stronger and prouder of who they are. This is a book readers will find themselves wanting to hold on to and re-read with each passing summer. Shining through every page is a layer of truth that showcases the reality of how fast a friendship can form, how thrilling it can be, and how sad one can realize they are as it's nearing its end. The book will bring smiles, tears, feelings of comfort, joy, peace, security, and so much more. It is more than worth the read and comes very highly recommended!
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Welcome to Chanu-Con!,' a Children's Picture Book, and Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
Set against the backdrop of Beach Boys music and an intense month of learning about oneself, Juillet and Summer show each other each and every day what it means to be a friend. They help each other deal with troubles, some which they have been struggling to conquer. When Summer reveals her own solemn issues, Juillet realizes that however big her own problems seem to be, there is always someone else with something equally, if not more, important that they themselves are dealing with, and everyone is worthy of being heard, cared for, and understood.
No one said life as a tween, or even as a teen, is easy, and Juillet and Summer show that, despite their youth, they are more than capable of raising each other up and learning to grow stronger and prouder of who they are. This is a book readers will find themselves wanting to hold on to and re-read with each passing summer. Shining through every page is a layer of truth that showcases the reality of how fast a friendship can form, how thrilling it can be, and how sad one can realize they are as it's nearing its end. The book will bring smiles, tears, feelings of comfort, joy, peace, security, and so much more. It is more than worth the read and comes very highly recommended!
Beth Rodgers, Author of 'Welcome to Chanu-Con!,' a Children's Picture Book, and Freshman Fourteen' and 'Sweet Fifteen,' Young Adult Novels
*Review originally posted at YABooksCentral.com*
February 9, 2021
ahhh, this book made me feel so much!
the story follows Summer and Juillet, from the get go polar opposites. the author picked up on with the little nod to ‘happy taking sad for a walk’ which perfectly encapsulates their characterisation in the opening. across the month Summer helps Juillet - who she nicknames Betty - when you find out why i promise you’ll squeal with excitement - step out of her comfort zone. she teachers her to loosen up and just to enjoy the moment instead of always expecting the worst. when Summer reveals her personal struggles Juillet has to learn how to be their for someone else, and i really enjoyed watching her take on that caring role which was so out of her original character.
my favourite bit of this book had the be the relationship between the two of them, it was such a sweet friendship and the whole way along i could spot little clues of a first crush which took me back to my first crush. there wasn’t a ‘romance’ if you like and i think that reflects reality at age 12/13 when you are experiencing those feelings for the first time but there was still so many cute moments between them.
i think that a lot of sensitive topics were covered well throughout the plot - and without spoiling anything - i did shed a few tears throughout which is really rare for me with middle grade books.
overall i loved it, read this book when you are dreaming of summer days spent down at the beach 💓
the story follows Summer and Juillet, from the get go polar opposites. the author picked up on with the little nod to ‘happy taking sad for a walk’ which perfectly encapsulates their characterisation in the opening. across the month Summer helps Juillet - who she nicknames Betty - when you find out why i promise you’ll squeal with excitement - step out of her comfort zone. she teachers her to loosen up and just to enjoy the moment instead of always expecting the worst. when Summer reveals her personal struggles Juillet has to learn how to be their for someone else, and i really enjoyed watching her take on that caring role which was so out of her original character.
my favourite bit of this book had the be the relationship between the two of them, it was such a sweet friendship and the whole way along i could spot little clues of a first crush which took me back to my first crush. there wasn’t a ‘romance’ if you like and i think that reflects reality at age 12/13 when you are experiencing those feelings for the first time but there was still so many cute moments between them.
i think that a lot of sensitive topics were covered well throughout the plot - and without spoiling anything - i did shed a few tears throughout which is really rare for me with middle grade books.
overall i loved it, read this book when you are dreaming of summer days spent down at the beach 💓
June 29, 2023
Summer and July is about a 12 year old girl named Julliet who goes to California for a month with her mom while her mother works at the hospital there. She's not excited and knows she'll be spending most of the summer alone, until she meets a 13 year old surfer named Summer.
The book covers the girls adventures over the next month. I loved watching Julliet come out of her shell, gain confidence and overcome her fears. A lot of different topics (friendship, divorce, neglect, death, depression, fears, family problems, etc) are covered in this book and most of them are handled well. Both girls have sad family situations that they try to help each other with.
I was a little worried about these two girls going all over town on their own, even if Julliet's mom had a phone tracker app. I felt like some of their conversations, or the way they talked at times, was a bit mature for their age. Other than that, it was a good summer read.
The book covers the girls adventures over the next month. I loved watching Julliet come out of her shell, gain confidence and overcome her fears. A lot of different topics (friendship, divorce, neglect, death, depression, fears, family problems, etc) are covered in this book and most of them are handled well. Both girls have sad family situations that they try to help each other with.
I was a little worried about these two girls going all over town on their own, even if Julliet's mom had a phone tracker app. I felt like some of their conversations, or the way they talked at times, was a bit mature for their age. Other than that, it was a good summer read.
May 13, 2020
I received this ARC from the publisher through Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review.
Juliette is gearing up for the worst summer of her life as she and her mother head away from Michigan in a plane to Santa Monica. She’s leaving behind her only friend and worries about all the terrors she’ll encounter. When Summer leaves a postcard on her door the first morning though, Juliette has no idea that it’s an invitation to the summer of a lifetime.
There was so much to love about this book. Juliette’s transformation happened naturally, with her struggling to balance the fears that weren’t so easy to leave behind, and her desire for new adventures. Summer and Juliette (Betty) develop a relationship that helps each girl to find their own strength.
Juliette is gearing up for the worst summer of her life as she and her mother head away from Michigan in a plane to Santa Monica. She’s leaving behind her only friend and worries about all the terrors she’ll encounter. When Summer leaves a postcard on her door the first morning though, Juliette has no idea that it’s an invitation to the summer of a lifetime.
There was so much to love about this book. Juliette’s transformation happened naturally, with her struggling to balance the fears that weren’t so easy to leave behind, and her desire for new adventures. Summer and Juliette (Betty) develop a relationship that helps each girl to find their own strength.
July 7, 2020
This was a summer heartprint book for sure!
After her parents’ divorce, twelve year old Juillet and her mom are spending the summer oceanside in California. Her mom will be working at the local hospital, and Juillet will spend her days alone exploring the local community.
With her dad off in Europe with his new girlfriend and her best friend from back home (Fern) taking the blame for Juillet’s goth look and “not real” fears, Juillet is predicting this to be the worst summer ever.
Within the first day, Juillet meets Summer, a local surfer girl. The friendship is a must for both, and it was beautiful to watch them develop trust and gain strength and support for each other.
I laughed, and I cried. Highly recommend!
After her parents’ divorce, twelve year old Juillet and her mom are spending the summer oceanside in California. Her mom will be working at the local hospital, and Juillet will spend her days alone exploring the local community.
With her dad off in Europe with his new girlfriend and her best friend from back home (Fern) taking the blame for Juillet’s goth look and “not real” fears, Juillet is predicting this to be the worst summer ever.
Within the first day, Juillet meets Summer, a local surfer girl. The friendship is a must for both, and it was beautiful to watch them develop trust and gain strength and support for each other.
I laughed, and I cried. Highly recommend!
July 25, 2021
I wanted to like this so much, but I just couldn’t get into it. A few things made me uncomfortable (passive dunking on houseless people that didn’t need to be there, for instance) but I’m DNFing at the protag announcing that her fears are all made up? Like the way anxiety is handled as a whole is sketch but I kept reading to see if it improved. I hit the point of “check Goodreads to see if I’m crazy” and found some readers with very similar concerns to mine. That said, the setting is lovely, and the descriptions of people and places are vivid. The book does have personality, but the plot doesn’t. I’ll be putting this one in the little library near my favorite coffee shop! I think another reader will appreciate it more than me.
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