Manatee Summer

by Evan Griffith

Peter and his best friend, Tommy, have a goal for their last summer before middle school: finish their Discovery Journal, a catalog of the wildlife around their Florida town. When they spot a manatee in a canal, Peter knows they've found something special--and when the manatee is injured by a boat, something to protect!

As Peter joins the fight to save Florida manatees, he also finds himself taking care of his ailing grandfather and facing an unwelcome surprise that jeopardizes his friendship with Tommy. Soon Peter is adrift, navigating shifting tides and realizing that he has as much to discover about himself as he does about the world around him.

Genres: Middle Grade, Animals, Fiction, Realistic Fiction, Audiobook, Childrens, Family

288 pages, Hardcover

First published June 28, 2022

About the author

Evan Griffith is the author of the middle-grade novels MANATEE SUMMER and THE STRANGE WONDERS OF ROOTS (both Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections) and the picture book biographies SECRETS OF THE SEA: THE STORY OF JEANNE POWER, REVOLUTIONARY MARINE SCIENTIST and WILD AT HEART: THE STORY OF OLAUS AND MARDY MURIE, DEFENDERS OF NATURE. His books have received multiple starred reviews, appeared on several state award lists for children's literature, and been recognized as Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year, National Science Teachers Association Best Stem Books, and Chicago Public Library’s Best Informational Books for Younger Readers. Evan received his MFA in Writing for Children at the Vermont College of Fine Arts where he now serves as faculty. He lives in Austin, Texas with a mischievous tuxedo cat and several overflowing bookshelves.

Reviews

[Brina · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love manatees. They are graceful creatures and I can spend hours staring at them. My zoo is home to a manatee rehab facility where injured manatees heal before being returned to Florida in the wild. There habitat is also indoors and air conditioned hence another reason why I can spend hours looking at them during steamy summer days. When my library suggested Manatee Summer as one of its new books, I did not hesitate to get it, not knowing the book’s audience or subject matter. Just knowing the title was enough, and, even though I ended up getting my hands on a new middle grade kids book, I was not disappointed.

Peter lives in central Florida near the Indigo River (Author Evan Griffith notes this is real life Brevard County, near the Indian River.). Peter is eleven years old and is enjoying his last summer before entering middle school. He is looking forward to discovering wildlife with his best friend Tommy and going to the beach with his mom. Yet, this is not a normal summer for Peter. His grandfather affectionately known as Papa moved in six months ago. Papa is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s and can no longer live alone, and with Peter’s mom working full time, Peter is asked to be Papa’s full time care giver. So much for long summer days exploring, swimming in the Indigo River, and being a kid. As a single parent, Peter’s mom cannot afford care givers so Peter, a boy mature beyond his years, will have to suffice. His last summer of being a kid will have to wait.

As I know from my own family members who succumbed to Alzheimer’s, they may not remember the present but the past is crystal clear. Oldest memories are the last to go. Papa has told Peter the story of how he swam with manatees for an entire afternoon when he was a boy so many times that Peter knows the story by heart. One day Peter and Tommy find a manatee in the canal by its house. The manatees there have scars from boats but most aren’t deep, it is a sad part of negotiating life that has been encroached upon by humans. On their second encounter, Peter sees that his manatee has a deeper, Z shaped scar, and contacts the Florida Manatee Commission, in order to save her. His new friend named Zoe has turned Peter from an animal discoverer into an activist.

Evan Griffith has crafted a beautiful story in his debut novel. He has exposed kids to real life issues and created a tale of empathy. Peter has to negotiate life as a caretaker, with divorced parents, with a crotchety older neighbor who thinks he owns the world, and now as an animal conservation activist. To top that off, Tommy has been hiding that his family is moving cross country in two weeks. That is too fire to have conversations over walkie talkies. In the limited time that the boys have, they research everything about manatees in hopes that it will help them save Zoe. Along the way, readers meet Cassidy Cawley, a new college graduate who works at the Florida Manatee Commission, who becomes the de facto older sister Peter never had in his fracturing life. Mature beyond his years, Griffith has Peter navigate his multiple relationships and at times one forgets that this boy is all of eleven years old, or that this book is the author’s debut.

Although a book written for middle school students, Manatee Summer has become a reading highlight of my own summer. It contains all the themes that make it an influential book for the 21st kid: divorce, single parent families, older relatives grappling with dementia and Alzheimer’s, and kids being activists. That the book takes place in Florida and features one of my favorite animals is a bonus. Most of all, Manatee Summer is a well crafted, multi layered exploration of friendship. I look forward to seeing where Evan Griffith’s writing career goes next and what he has in store for us.

☀️ 4+ stars ☀️

[Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is such a personal rating (as are all ratings), but this takes place in a fictionalized town that has striking similarities to my hometown. The author did such a good job of depicting being a kid where I grew up, running around and checking out all the wildlife around the beaches, rivers, the lagoon, scrub, etc. I was immediately transported back to being 11 and recording alligators behind my childhood home on a VHS camcorder (I’m old, but also I’m shocked my parents trusted me with that.) impersonating The Steve Irwin. I also had a grandfather suffer dementia, and so seeing Peter’s efforts to keep up his relationship with his grandfather hit home for me particularly. Ok, done with the personal.

I really enjoyed Peter’s emotional journey and growth in here. He has so many changes hitting him all at once, and I think Evan Griffith did a great job writing how a kid would traverse all these changes happening. He’s upset, overwhelmed, angry, disappointed, and maybe even depressed by all the negatives happenings. I think his navigation and outbursts make a lot of sense. His relationships with his mother, grandfather, best friend, and the other side characters were things I was really invested in, and I may have started getting emotional as things started wrapping up and resolving toward the end.

Peter’s dedication to manatees makes so much sense because 1) they’re awesome and friendly creatures that really do need protection and help and 2) with all the changes he has going on, it makes so much sense for Peter to hyper focus on this one issue that he believes he may be able to make better. Just a few years ago in real life, there was a manatee on the west coast of Florida that someone carved a political candidate’s name into its back. WTF 🤬. If for no other reason, this book elicits a compassion for wildlife and conservation which are wonderful things, and I support that message.


I think the only thing that caused me confusions was being from Florida and the place names not being real when I started realizing this takes place close to where I grew up. Maybe Evan Griffith was trying to avoid upsetting his very own Mr. Reilly, who is Peter’s nemesis in the book. Other than that and getting used to Peter’s understandably upset point of view, this book was a home run for me, and I think it’s a easily digestible book that touches on a lot of important issues that older elementary and middle schoolers could really benefit from.

[Stephanie Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

*If you’re not already in love with the huge, gentle “grey blobs” known as manatees, you will be by the end of this book!*
Peter doesn’t like changes, and uncertainty. This particular summer seems to be full of surprises around every corner; with his grandfather, his best friend Tommy, finishing elementary school. It’s enough “what ifs” to make a persons’ head explode! When Peter begins to focus upon ways to keep the manatees in the nearby river safe, he discovers that changes, even some surprises, aren’t necessarily bad…
Wonderful book for middle-grade readers! Might even be encouragement for budding activists to get involved…

[Christina Hawley · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolutely charming take on growing up, processing emotions, and friendship.

[Literary Redhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manatee Summer
by Evan Griffith
HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books
Pub Date: Jun 28

What a moving middle grade novel! Peter and Tommy, his best friend, spend their last summer before middle school cataloging local Florida wildlife.

They discover a manatee in a canal that may have been hit by a speedboat piloted by Peter's neighbor, which propels the boy to become a manatee activist.

He also helps care for his grandfather, who suffers from Alzheimer's. It's a summer of change and growth and after Tommy moves away, Peter finds himself reflective as he struggles to learn more about himself as well as the world. Poignant, heart-tugging and healing.

Thanks to the author, HarperCollins Children's Books, Quill Tree Books, and NetGalley for the ARC. Opinions are mine.

#ManateeSummer #EvanGriffith #NetGalley
#HarperCollinsChildrensBooks #QuillTreeBooks #manateeactivist #Alzheimers #FloridaManatees #MGContemporaryNovel #bookstagramcommunity

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a heartfelt middle grade story about Peter and his best friend Tommy as they spend their last summer together trying to help protect the local Florida manatee population. Perfect for fans of books like Song for a whale by Lynne Kelly.

CW: loved one with Alzheimer's

[kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I came for the manatees and stayed for the beautiful story (and the manatees, of course.)

Books like this are the reason I still read middle grade novels as an adult. This was so beautifully wholesome and hopeful, whilst overflowing with true emotion and passion. A gorgeous exploration of friendship, Alzheimer’s and conservation, this is a story I would happily and heartily recommend to children and adults alike.

[Grace Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

If I gave Otherwood by Pete Hautman five stars, this book definitely deserves five stars. I probably shouldn't judge how good a book is based on previous ratings, but this book made me almost cry so many times that I couldn't possibly put it below a five. I probably would have cried, if my husband wasn't sitting right next to me as I finished. I wish I'd cried. I still feel like I need to cry, because this book reminded me of a lot of things, and it was very well written. The emotion was very successfully communicated. Props to Evan Griffith, he really made the magic happen with this book.

Where to begin. Well, I think fundamentally, this book is about change. The main character, eleven-year-old Peter, goes through a lot of it. The book is written in such a way to make believing it's from an eleven-year-old's perspective very easy, which I found impressive. The language, the feelings, the way Peter processed stuff, it all felt very real. It was also good to see a main character who struggles with anger, and does a lot of things he regrets. I don't know of any other book that acknowledged that anger, a lot of time, is just a distraction from grief. To be fair, I haven't read a lot of books, but still. It just really struck me.

My personal ties to the book aside, this was the sort of book that just completely envelopes you. Very little broke my suspension of disbelief, and even less was I ever pulled out of the book by something jarringly out of place. I felt what Peter felt, saw what he saw--it's really incredible, how a good book can make the rest of the world disappear. Evan Griffith really accomplished that.

All in all, well done. I'm definitely going to be purchasing a copy for myself one of these days. Another favorite added to the shelf.

[Sandi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute story about a couple middle school boys navigating a lot of big life changes in their lives. Along they way, they also learn a lot of adult lessons. Best part is the manatees! 🙂

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

In their last summer before graduating into middle school, best friends Peter and Tommy are determined to complete their Discovery Journal: a catalog of one hundred unique species of wild animal found within and around their native Florida town. They’ve reached the nineties, their goal near their reach. But, Peter can’t imagine the remaining discoveries topping what they’ve just come upon within a canal – a manatee.

Manatees hold special, almost mythical place in Peter’s heart. His beloved grandfather loves telling a story of how he once came upon upon a herd of manatee when out on his boat, and had the chance to swim among them. Grandfather’s story becomes more embellished and seemingly exaggerated with each telling, but the core message of the peaceful, transformative encounter remains constant. The experience bared a deep human connection with the environment beyond anything he had felt before.

Now, Peter feels as though he has had the chance to share in that, an experience all the more poignant in light of his grandfather’s current mental deterioration from Alzheimer’s Disease. When not out discovering animals with Tommy, Peter has to devote himself to the growing responsibilities at home, helping his single, working mother care for her father.

The boys see the manatee again in the canal, but are horrified to see it dying, a large Z-shaped propeller wound cut into its back. Peter springs into action and calls a nonprofit manatee advocacy and rescue group who take the manatee back to their facilities to save and attempt rehabilitation of the female, who Peter names Zoe. Traumatized over how this could be allowed to happen, Peter decides to help the group fight for the manatees, particularly against the mean Mr. Reilly, the president of the town boating club.

But many hurdles stand in Peter’s way beyond the hostility of Mr. Reilly. Peter discovers that his best friend Tommy has been hiding a devastating secret: Tommy’s family is moving far away. Meanwhile, Peter’s mother tries to dissuade her young song from getting involved in local politics, particularly considering the powerful Mr. Reilly could sabotage her real estate career. As the figurative storm clouds gather over the Florida community, literal ones appear in the form of a hurricane about to bear down.

Manatee Summer is a phenomenal book for young readers and adults alike. The plot is compelling and wonderfully paced, the characters are all richly detailed, relatable, and explored, and the themes of ecological and personal resilience shine strongly.

The novel drew my interest because of its fantastic cover and the description, both grabbing ahold of my appreciation for manatees. I wasn’t surprised to find the novel contain a good deal of content on conservation and ecology, but was surprised to see that is only half of the engaging story, and positive messages, that the novel provides.

As much as it’s driven by the manatee conservation plot, Manatee Summer is equally propelled by its character development, Peter maturing through his relationship with family, friends, and his antagonist Mr. Reilly. Taking things even deeper, Griffith also succeeds in having Peter’s relationships with others lead to significant developments in all of those secondary characters as well.

First we have Peter’s relationship with his mother and grandfather. Peter loves his Papa, dearly, and he’s appreciative of all his mother gives of herself for the family. But still, Peter also cannot help but feel upset over the sacrifices now expected of him, a young boy who should be enjoying a carefree childhood. This causes him to feel guilt, and he feels further guilt over the discomfort and embarrassment he feels over his grandfather’s condition. Alzheimer’s takes a respected adult who Peter looks up to and breaks that man down into a childlike distortion, stealing a dignity that forces the confused Peter to face aging and mortality.

With his mother too tired and too depleted to have any more energy to give Peter, Peter’s main source of support and relief comes through his friendship with Tommy. And what a brilliant, beautiful friendship it is. Griffith captures the Philia love between two young friends absolutely perfectly here.

Tommy succeeds as a fantastic contrast to Peter, a reserved, nerdy boy who loves facts, statistics, and vocabulary, but is leery of taking chances or putting himself into potential harm’s way. He’s a great balance to Peter’s daring and passioned rush to action. Moreover, the character of Tommy provides Griffith away to introduce complex ideas into a novel for young readers in a way that provides explanation alongside: an education.

Both Tommy and Peter have a certain pure innocence of childhood, good hearts and a curiosity to learn about the world, and make a difference. The strength of their friendship makes it all the more empathetically painful when we learn (with Peter) that Tommy and his family will be moving away, forcing the friendship to break. Though Tommy has known for a long time, his fear of facing discomfort and risk has put him into a state of denial and avoidance, unable to tell Peter the bad news. Which, of course makes it all the worse for Peter. Griffith handles this common painful experience in the lives of young friends remarkably well. As Peter pushes Tommy to change a bit more and take some calculated risks in this uncertain life, so too does Tommy bring Peter to new realizations.

With the unfortunate news regarding Tommy and his family coming to light, Peter begins to pursue a new, more unconventional friendship, with the college student who works with the nonprofit manatee protection organization. As she introduces Peter to a world of environmental advocacy and politics, he helps her communicate with a crush she has at the manatee rehab facility.

Just as Griffith handles the complexities of family and friendships with aplomb, focusing on the simple truths appreciated by children, so too does he tackle the complexities of enemies with Mr. Reilly. Mr. Reilly begins as somewhat of cartoonish caricature of a villain. He’s an angry bully, yelling at the kids on his lawn and flaunting his power around town to get whatever he selfishly desires. With little to no concern for others. His power comes from his money. And his money comes from pure chance, not his own initiative or toil. He simply won the lottery.

However, Griffith doesn’t just leave the antagonist as one dimensional here. As the novel progresses Peter (and the reader) begin to learn new things about Mr. Reilly. And despite his bitter fight against Peter, Peter’s mom, and the manatee advocates, Mr. Reilly begins to learn a little about other possibilities for life himself. Griffith shows that even enemies are human. Despite urges to characterize them as evil or irredeemable, childhood humility and optimism begin to crack that facade.

The struggles for Peter, his family, and his friends don’t simply vanish or all get solved in blithe happiness. Manatee Summer is profoundly optimistic and good hearted, showing the possibilities of resilience and passionate advocacy across realms of life. But it also shows that pain will still be there amid that – disappointments and inconveniences that need to be faced and worked through, or among.

My only critique with Manatee Summer would be that I thought it could have used an appendix or supplementary nonfiction material on manatees and manatee (and related) conservation. There’s a fair amount within the text of the story itself, but curious children and adults looking for more would likely appreciate something more concise and all-inclusive to turn to.

Manatee Summer is a book that young readers could enjoy on their own, or alongside adults. And it has a complexity and realism that would make it just as appealing to any adult on their own as well.

[Susan Tunis · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the younger end of middle grade fiction, but very sweet, with so many positive messages.

[Amber Marshall · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much to love about this story! Adventure, discovery, family challenges, friendships, heartaches, and of course-manatees!!!

[Iris Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Manatee Summer by Evan Griffith is a delightful book that I have judged to be a solid 4* read. Yes, I would refer this book to my friends and family. Living in Central Florida, where the story takes place, brought it close to my heart. We love our manatees, as they are very much apart of our ecological system and very important

The story is about two young boys transitioning from grade school to middle school. They are best buds and have great plans for summer. Both seem to be rather geeky so they fit well in this story. Life has many ups and downs which usually we are not prepared to handle well and Peter and his best friend Tommy are no exception. Children often blame themselves when things don’t go well in a family so we see these two little guys trying to work out issues brought their way mostly by adults that create havoc…a grandfather with Alzheimer’s, a father’s departure from the family, a mother trying to handle everything herself, a new job opportunity that requires a move to Michigan, a hurricane, an injured manatee and a belligerent neighbor, just to name a few.

In the end, all seems to settle to a quiet reflection and the boys have a once in a lifetime experience. Great read.

[Brenda Fryland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful 5th/6th grade book! I’ll make this one my first novel read aloud of the year-great science connections.

Peter and Tommy are BFFs and major animal lovers. They're off to discover 100 Florida animals in the wild and have an amazing discovery journal to document it. They discover and save an injured manatee and realize they need to be protected. I love these pint sized activists!

Lots going on-divorced parents and not much contact with dad, worries about starting middle school, grandfather with dementia and lots of responsibility for an 11 year old. Dealing with a friend moving away and a changing relationship with mom too. So much covered but done very well. The author really captures that intensity and feeling of a storm brewing inside a kid dealing with a lot.

I hope this turns into a series!

Reminds me of Hoot, but a little easier to read. I can’t wait to get my class excited to learn more about protecting wildlife!

[Lyon.Brit.andthebookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Florida? New favorite book setting? YES🙌🏻 this is my second MG set in the hot and humid state and have enjoyed reading/learning about an area so far of reach from me. Yes, through books for teens 😂 but for real! MANATEE SUMMER is for the young activist & animal lover. Evan Griffith writes youth as if it was yesterday. This felt nostalgic. With notebooks documenting animal sightings on warm summer days with your BFF as well as the emotions of having said BFF move away, not to mention having responsibilities at such a young age that makes the character feel mature but still just a kid. CW… divorce, dementia & Alzheimer’s

This one has been on my shelf for a bit and my girl LIBBY coming through with the audio finally gave me the nudge… just days before we enter December… I really enjoyed what would be the perfect summer read but in the near winter it was just as fabulous.

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[Miss Meliss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Listened to this book as an audiobook with my kids. We all enjoyed it. The theme of saving manatees felt close to home, because we've toured a manatee rescue facility in FL and have a close family member who is involved in wildlife conservation. The main character is designed to appeal to older elementary/early middle school ages -- at first, I was wary, as he has obnoxious moments, but ultimately the story depicts a pending crisis of conscience, a coming of age in the realization that life changes unpredictably and uncomfortably at times, and a deepening friendship. The main character grows through the story and though not every problem in the story can be resolved in a perfect way by the ending, it's a clear depiction of reality, and the choices within the character's control are clear and constructive to young listeners.

[Bethe · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars. Fabulous book filled with realistic characters, strong relationships, and a cause. The save the manatees is done perfectly, not preachy or stronghanded. Love the way Peter connects with Zoe, animals are the best! Most perfect ending ever!
Favorite quotes: Chin up Fox it’s time to save the world. the whole world? everyone has to start somewhere, you and me, we’re starting with a manatee.” pg 32
He’s my arch nemesis. it’s my job to upset him.” pg 114.
I love manatees, have seen them many times from river and canal banks in Florida. Never swam with them, but kayaked with them!

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was the sweetest YA summer novel. The main character is heading into middle school and is navigating new emotions, friendship, a grandpa with dementia, a single mom who works… your heart just goes out to him. It’s just a really sweet story about the struggles of life changing. And the constant in this boy’s life was advocating for manatees. Just an all around heartwarming story.

[Grace Minter · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! I never want to literally ALWAYS read and I have never had a book like that ever this book is very adventurous and I LOVE books like that. I liked all the not so good parts mostly turned into great parts! I would pay $100 for this book definitely read it!!!!

[Cassie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Central Floridian to Central Floridian I really enjoyed this read. I didn't realize I was getting into a book that hit a lot of personal things going on in my life.

[Emily Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sunshine state book this year and for good reason! It was so cute. I loved it. Great message🥰

[Chanele · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't typically read middle grade books, but this one pulled at my heart strings because I love manatees and I had just been in Florida, reminding me of my childhood around them. This was actually a good book about a young boy on the cusp of entering middle school who has to balance of a lot - a single mother who works a lot, a grandfather struggling from Alzheimer's, a best friend moving out of state, and an injured manatee in the canal behind his house. As he becomes a budding animal activist, Peter has to understand all of the feelings inside him, which isn't easy as they are growing and changing. He passes off tears as "allergies." And a lot happens. But it is a heartwarming story with sweet manatees, including his new "friend" Zoe, and I would definitely recommend this book to people with little ones in this age range - or anyone who wants a cozy book with manatees!

[Christine Campbell · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a 3-5th grade WAW nominee this year. Cute story about a young boy and his friend who try to rescue and bring awareness to the manatees near their central Florida home.
Topics: friendship, divorce, Alzheimer’s, hurricanes and of course, saving manatees.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars!
Some of my favorite stories in recent years, are about kids who are passionate about animals/nature/conservation. I’m always so inspired! I hope this author writes another book, soon.

[Victoria Lynch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Our last WAW for grades 3-5. The story was linear and easy to follow. SO MANY animal books on this years list.

[Bibliophilic Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual Rating: 3.5 / 5

[Whitney George · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was our last read aloud of the year and my students LOVED this book! They were invested the entire time!

[Denien Sramek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quite an easy read focused on friendships, new and old. Value of respecting others humans and animals alike. Geared towards middle school aged children but entertaining for all!

[Carol (Reading Ladies) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

Manatee Summer follows two young boys, Peter and Tommy, as they seek to spend their last summer before middle school filling up their Discovery Journal, a list of local wildlife that they see in nature. On one of their adventures, they find an injured manatee and begin fighting to protect the endangered manatees from threats they face.

I was initially drawn to this book by the cover, which is gorgeous! But, the book was a little flat for me. I realize I am not the intended audience for this book, so please take my review with a grain of salt. Some of the dialogue felt very unnatural and at times unrealistic to me. Other than that, I can't exactly pinpoint what was wrong with the book other than I was simply losing interest. It took me nearly two months to read, and it is just a short middle grade. I just found myself picking up other books instead.

I did enjoy that this book dealt with some important and serious topics like dealing with a family member with Alzheimer's and overall how to deal with unexpected and unwanted change in your life. I thought Peter's emotional growth throughout the story was one of the book's high points.

I do feel this book would be great to be used in a school setting along with instruction on environmental issues like conservation, endangered species, hurricanes, as well as issues like activism and how to get involved in helping out with causes that students care about.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's - Quill Tree Books for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review!