Spring Break

Summer #4

by Katherine Applegate

Summer can’t wait to escape the blizzards of Minnesota and head back to the sunny Florida beaches for Spring Break. She’ll be reunited with her best friends Diana and Marquez, but more importantly, she’ll be alone with her sweet-as-can-be boyfriend Seth for an entire week. But when she meets the romantic and mysterious Austin on her way to Florida, she realizes he may warm her heart more than her seaside retreat ever could. With Seth and Austin both vying for her affections, secrets and jealousies begin to threaten Summer’s picture-perfect spring break….

Genres: Young Adult, Romance, Summer, Contemporary, Beach Reads, Fiction, Young Adult Contemporary

211 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1996

About the author

#1 New York Times bestselling author Katherine Applegate has written many books for young readers, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, winner of the 2013 Newbery Medal.

Katherine’s picture books include THE BUFFALO STORM, illustrated by Jan Ormerod (Clarion Books); THE REMARKABLE TRUE STORY OF IVAN, THE SHOPPING MALL GORILLA, illustrated by G. Brian Karas (Clarion Books); SOMETIMES YOU FLY, illustrated by Jennifer Black Reinhardt (Clarion Books); and ODDER: AN OTTER’S STORY, illustrated by Charles Santoso (Feiwel & Friends).

She’s written or co-written three early chapter series for young readers: ROSCOE RILEY RULES, a seven-book series illustrated by Brian Biggs (HarperCollins); DOGGO AND PUPPER, a three-book series illustrated by Charlie Alder (Feiwel & Friends). With Gennifer Choldenko, she co-authored DOGTOWN and MOUSE AND HIS DOG, illustrated by Wallace West (Feiwel & Friends).

Books for middle-grade readers include HOME OF THE BRAVE (Feiwel & Friends); THE ONE AND ONLY series, illustrated by Patricia Castelao, including THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN, THE ONE AND ONLY BOB, THE ONE AND ONLY RUBY, and THE ONE AND ONLY FAMILY (HarperCollins); the ENDLING trilogy (HarperCollins); CRENSHAW (Feiwel & Friends); WISHTREE (Feiwel & Friends); WILLODEEN (Feiwel & Friends); ODDER (Feiwel & Friends); and the forthcoming POCKET BEAR (Feiwel & Friends).

With her husband, Michael Grant, Katherine co-wrote ANIMORPHS, a long-running series that has sold over 35 million books worldwide. They also wrote two other series, REMNANTS and EVERWORLD, and a young adult novel, EVE AND ADAM (Feiwel & Friends.)

Katherine’s work has been translated into dozens of languages, and her books have won accolades including the Christopher Medal, the Golden Kite Award, the Bank Street Josette Frank Award, the California Book Award Gold Medal, the Crystal Kite Award, the Green Earth Book Honor Award, the Charlotte Zolotow Honor Award, and the E.B. White Read Aloud Award. Many of her works have appeared on state master lists, Best of the Year lists, and Publishers Weekly, USA Today, and New York Times bestseller lists.

Katherine lives in Nevada with her husband and assorted pets. She is represented by Elena Giovinazzo at Heirloom Literary and Mary Pender at WME.

Reviews

[Natalie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Did I read that right? Even though Seth is soooo in love with Summer, he hooked up with her cousin Diana??? But Summer also cheated on him with some random guy (Austin) so they cancelled each other out or something??? Why are Summer and Seth staying together????

Not a fan of books about cheating in general, but especially not cheating within the same family.

Diver seems the only decent character of the bunch, but that’s probably because he’s so conflict avoidant he runs for the hills at the first sign of trouble.

Also, Austin is “in love” with Summer after knowing her for three days! Ugh.

There were some funny moments, and I liked seeing Marquez explore her art a little more, but all the cheating was a total turnoff. And I hate Seth.

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love and hate this book. I guess it's a good thing I bought this book, because I have to read tan lines next. But whoever the publisher is, gotten the order of the books mix. Anyway I skip a few chapters(Marquez and Diver)Cause I'm not interested in them. The story was okay, better then Beach Blondes. However, I didn't like how Summer said "guys all mentally cheat" in one page. I'm like girl, your the one that cheated on your boyfriend. But I think Seth and Diana cheat on each other, so I guess this means I should of read the Christmas book? Eh I'm done with this books. It's fun I don't for the characters.

[Alicia · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

This book was pretty meh for me. Maybe it’s because it was book 4 in a series and I didn’t know that until they kept referencing things that had happened in the previous books. I didn’t connect with any of the characters, and I felt like the timeline moved too quickly for anything to feel as if it had substance.
Summer was a pretty basic character. Her relationship with Seth was kinda cute. Austin just gave me creepy vibes. He couldn’t respect that Summer was in a relationship, and he kept pushing. He was also instantly in love with her which I didn’t like. I felt like he was a coward who was just preying on Summer being nice in order to avoid his feelings and the things he was supposed to do. I also didn’t like Marquez. I thought she was a bad friend.
It was a pretty quick read and light read. It touched on a couple of heavier topics briefly but never really dove into them. I didn’t really get any romance out of the book at all, and I didn’t care for the love triangle that was building.

[Matthew MacIntyre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ugh Summer is just the worst. Actually most characters in this book are horrible. It’s spring break so Summer who is still long distance dating Seth are going back to Florida for spring break where they are reuniting with Marquez and Diana. All has not been great in the nine months since summer, Diver tried to be happy back with his rediscovered family in Minnesota but was unhappy so left unannounced a few months back. Marquez recently broke up with JT and with her family having to sell their home leaves town the day before Summer is coming for spring break. On the day Summer is flying to Florida Seth sees her off, because he’s taking a later flight becaus his aunt is getting married. Conveniently enough this gives Summer the chance to meet Adam, who basically falls instantly in love with her. He causes her to miss her flight so while they wait for a later flight they go to Disney and act like a total couple including making out. Btw I hate Summer. During all this we catch up with Marquez as she’s driving and she hits a bird panicking she calls a rescue and the person arrives is none other than Diver. He takes her back to his place and they spend the rest of the book together. Finally Summer along with Adam arrive to the Yacht they are staying at with Diana, which is all pink and totally love themed with heart shaped beds and hot tubs. Summer and Adam continue to get closer when Seth shows up a day early, so Diana being the now nice cousin pretends Adam is her boyfriend. No one is buying it because Adam is totally hot for Summer. It all comes to a head when Seth catches Summer and Adam kissing and storms off. Oh I forgot this book hints at something that happened between Seth and Diana and towards the end we find out that, during Christmas when Diana and Marquez visited Summer, Diana and Seth made out. Like I said most people in this book are horrible. In the end Seth stupidly forgives Summer, because he is still guilty about kissing Diana. The book ends with Summer still pining for Adam even though she’s back with Seth. The side plot with Marquez and Diver was the best part. And I’m happy that Diver and Summer never actually reconciled because that to me seemed more real. Also the other side plot with Adams reason for being in the same area was very melodramatic and acted as a reason for Summer to cheat on Seth. Ugh I hate Summer.

[Danielle Choffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve read this entire series so far. I will say there is major confusion about the order of the books. So I had to hold off on finishing it because I didn’t own this book. I also thought I could read the last book without reading this book.

You can’t.

There are characters that are introduced in this book that find their way into the last book.

This was okay I struggled with some of the characters and their decisions, but that is what books make us do right? They make us upset or question what we believe to be right.

Summary - Diana, Marquez, Summer, Diver, and Seth all get back together in Florida for Spring Break. Before their vacation even gets started they experience some difficulties. Summer meets her airplane seatmate, Austin, who is going through a difficult time. She feels a sense of duty to help him through it, but this drives a wedge between her and Seth. Marquez is facing troubling times. Her family has money troubles, she didn’t get into her choice colleges, and she dumped her boyfriend. This leads to her running away. Diver is struggling to fit in with his new found family so he ditches them and runs away. Seth and Diana both are harboring a secret from Summer which is causing them to be uncomfortable with each other and with Summer.

This is a typical young-adult book. A bunch of typical high school love drama takes place.

I struggled with each of these stories. Let’s start with the easiest, Diver. He feels like his parents are trying to hard since he came back into their lives. He feels they want things from him that he doesn’t want to give, which drives a wedge between him and his parents. Instead of attempting to work through it, he runs. The thing is he doesn’t tell Summer he is leaving or where he is going. I thought that was low. She is trying her hardest and she truly loves him. I think leaving her a note saying he was going to try to start fresh somewhere else and he would be in touch would be appropriate.

I can group Seth, Diana, and Summer together because they are all guilty of the same things. Seth and Diana are guilty of a minor transgression they decide to keep from Summer. I think Summer is struggling because Seth pulling away from her slightly. She finds Austin, who is interested in her as a person and focuses on her when they are together. Now Summer commits the same transgression both Diana and Seth are guilty of but they vilify her for it.

Then we have Marquez. She just comes across as a cry baby to me. She is devastated that she didn’t get into any of the Ivy League colleges she applied to. She wants to be a lawyer, but you can only do that at an Ivy League school. Apparently I missed that fact when I was applying to schools. So to deal with it she decides to steal Diana’s credit card and runaway.

These are minor things, but for me the bugged the crap out of me as I read the book. I understand you need things to happen, but it all felt whiny and annoying. Hopefully the next book is better.

[Sydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

1.Katherine Alice Applegate is an American young adult and children's fiction writer, best known as the author of the Animorphs, Remnants, Everworld, and other book series. Born: October 9, 1956 (age 60), Ann Arbor, MI
2.This particular book in this series of 3 was written in 2008
3.There were multiple settings in this book some of them were in a airport in minnesota, or at the beach in florida or in the hotel room or at home in minnesota
4.Summer is so ready to gt out of the cold winter up north and get to the warm sandy beaches in the heart of florida . She was so excited for the spring break trip that she was packing extra and she almost missed her flight but You will have to read and see what happens to summer and her friends on spring break vacation .
5.Theme- Summer is a girl that really wants summer to come back to her hometown in minnesota ,but she is headed to warmer weather she and her freinds are headed to the warm ,sandy beaches of FL.
6.Summer can’t wait to escape the blizzards of Minnesota and head back to the sunny Florida beaches for Spring Break. She’ll be reunited with her best friends Diana and Marquez, but more importantly, she’ll be alone with her sweet-as-can-be boyfriend Seth for an entire week. But when she meets the romantic and mysterious Austin on her way to Florida, she realizes he may warm her heart more than her seaside retreat ever could. With Seth and Austin both vying for her affections, secrets and jealousies begin to threaten Summer’s picture-perfect spring break. This is why she is s excited and sad at the same time .
7.There was symbolism ,hyperbole,allusions in this book.
8.“ Today i’m free”. I'm gonna miss my flight . Hey how are you doing .

[Jenica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Take a little time to read Spring Break by Katherine Applegate and dive into paradise! I finished this book in one night. It was so intriguing I just couldn’t put the book down.



It starts off with Summer and her boyfriend Seth in the blizzards of Minnesota getting ready for their getaway to the sunny beaches in Florida. Summer is stressed enough worrying about the trip, but now her shy mysterious brother is never getting along with their parents. She starts to unwind when she’s finally on her way to Florida to be reunited with her best friends, Diana and Marquez, but more importantly, she’ll finally get to be with her boyfriend for an entire week.



But things start to take a turn for the worst when Summer runs into the romantic and mysterious Austin. She denies her feelings towards Austin at first but she experiences a strong attraction towards him that she can no longer deny. With Seth and Austin both going after Summer, things get very messy on the beaches of Florida. Austin seems to be pulling Summer more and more into him while Seth has a secret too. Summers best friend Marquez and Seth had a thing last summer and Marquez wants to spill the news after feeling guilty for so long. Seth see’s Summer and Austin share a kiss and things got bad very fast. They end up making up but Seth still hasn’t told Summer about him and Marquez.


This was a great book. It was very entertaining and romantic. If you are into love stories and books set into paradise, you will love this book. It was an awesome book and I advise you to read it!

[Ella Pepper]

The book i am reviewing is "Spring Break" by Katherine Applegate. The story is all about the main character Summer a teenage girl, and her best friends and boyfriend. Summer has a perfect idea of what her spring break will look like, with her best friends and perfect boyfriend by her side in beautiful weather. But, when unexpected things happen during the trip, summer has a toss up with her boyfriend and a mysterious lover, and needs to decide which is more important in her life, all in the matter of a week. When Summer looses the trust of the people she loves the most, something that was supposed to be the most relaxing week of her life, turns Summers world upside down. It's an interesting novel, that is very intriguing for teenage girls. I loved the book, "Spring Break" and strongly recommend it because it is extremely easy for girls my age to relate to , because the main character goes through a situation that is very similar to real life.

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed Spring Break by Katherine Applegate,. It is the second book in the summer series. The first book is Beach Blondes, second is Spring Break, third is Tan Lines and the fourth is Sun-Kissed Christmas.

Spring Break was a quick fun read. I was excited to see what happened with Summer, Seth and all the other characters. I'm looking forward to reading Tan Lines this summer!

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good!!!!

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

this cleared up some things after reading tan lines. i liked this book but still think beach blondes was the best.

[Danielle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Going in the trash!

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

   Summer has big plans for spring break – escaping the cold snow and even colder atmosphere of her fracturing home to go back to Crab Claw Key and rekindle the magic of last summer with her boyfriend, Seth. When a troubled-looking hot guy leaves behind a book of his poetry on her plane, she can’t let him wallow alone – she races off the flight to return his book to him. Chasing him down might do more than cause her to miss her flight though…not to mention her cousin Diana and friend Marquez in Crab Claw Key have their own boy and family problems to deal with, not just Summer’s.
   It may not be spring break, but it felt like it when I took this book on my winter vacation to Cancun, Mexico. A quick YA read beachside with all the trappings of the spring break drama I never had between the pages was a perfect relaxing diversion (even if Summer, Diana, and Marquez were far from relaxed!). Despite the typical over-the-top boy drama (falling head-over-heels in love in less than a day), Applegate keeps tugging at the fallout from the previous book, with Diver running away from his newfound family, Marquez running away from her breakup with J.T., and Diana and Seth not sure where they should be running to, other than that it shouldn’t be towards each other. Add in the new hunk Austin and the medical cloud over his father and him, there’s lots to work with here and beyond.
   The more I think about it, the more interesting I find how mashed together the “typical teenage drama” is along with such heavy issues as adoption, abuse, and disease. I suppose that’s what makes an otherwise stereotypical spring break drama have its own character and body, what makes it more than just a cookie-cutter of a book. And I’m just not sure what to do with that balance and the whole it creates. Other than it is a diversion and light enough to not take too seriously, yet still offers solid pages to grab hold of if I want to dig my teeth into it a little more.
   I am also really curious about some of the pop culture references, which were clearly updated. For one, it refers to “brooding, lost-soul” dead movie star Heath Ledger (page 131), and I’m not sure who that would have referred to in 1996. It also refers to music slowing to “something more mellow” – Kelly Clarkson, who didn’t get famous until after her 2002 American Idol arrival (page 149). Kind of makes me want to find copies of the original issue… at least I know that for the final book in this series, the Christmas special, I have that original 1990s issue!

Quotes:
“On the one hand, it seems to me that if you want to keep hoping and not take the test, that’s fine, as long as you don’t let your fear change the way you live your life. As long as you don’t avoid loving people and being as happy as you can and, you know, just living a normal life.” – page 174

“It doesn’t matter. I’m just telling you that sometimes you have to make a choice, or else the choice will get made for you.” – page 189

[Joan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things I really loved about this and some things not so much. This author writes teenage stories mostly romances about Juniors and Seniors in high school. Most of the stories are light and romantic when life is simpler and lived a bit lighter by some young boys and girls still testing out life from a privileged safe environment. The other things that come up in this one are human trafficking / kidnapping (of Diver) in the past, some suicidal ideation (Austin), and a brush with possible inheritance of Huntington’s disease (Austin, his dad and brother). I think the suicide it is brought up too casually with reference to Diana’s past thoughts /attempt. Also the Austin attempt is too lighthearted as well. I realize the author is trying to keep it fun-loving because the title is “Spring Break.” She’s also trying to address some real life heavy duty issues, she mentions Diana’s “date rape / assault issue from prior books. But I do think these issues shouldn’t really be shrugged off and handled like they are no big deal. It’s dangerous to think these kids are dealing with these major life traumas with no counseling or discussion of long term therapy to deal with them. Definitely not good advice type book. Meant to be light and fluffy, I’m sure. Just too much touches of drama thrown in. I still see the appeal this authors stories had to my daughter in late middle school early high school. I also purchased some of Applegate’s books for my seniors at middle school when I was a media specialist, because they are well written page turners for fun. Don’t expect to learn much but I did end up researching Huntington’s disease (somewhat similar to ALS and it’s a true genetically inherited tragedy of a disease. Definitely not soft and fluffy information for a fun spring break! Also not liking the light hearted dealing with cheating and heart breaking that occurs with Diana & Seth and Summer & Austin. Cheating is cheating and they should not be a steady couple of it’s so easy to lose focus and cheat on each other. Keep the relationship light if it’s so easily broken.

[Keri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty short and I can't say I liked they way it ended but there are still more books in the series so maybe that is why. Summer was a little more annoying in this book so was Seth. I feel like if they had just talked to each other about what was going on things would have been better but I guess that is typical teenage behavior lol. I'll definitely finish the series. Just waiting for the next book to arrive.

[Emily O’Donoghue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Summer and Seth heading back out to Florida for spring break! Except she meets a guy named Austin on the plane ride over and changes the plans entirely.

I didn’t really enjoy the way Summer treated Seth in this book. She really took advantage of him and his love for her. She needs to decide who she wants to be with and not lead Seth on. I know Seth also made mistakes, but she has done this multiple times now and idk if I approve...

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's spring break, and everyone's an asshole: Summer, for cheating on Seth with Austin; Seth, for cheating on Summer with Diana; Austin, for being a creep; Marquez, for being a flake and a thief; Diver, for making zero effort to connect with his family; his parents, for not getting Diver therapy.

Diana seemed to exhibit the least asshole-ish behaviour for feeling guilty for cheating with Seth.

Luckily the book is short and the cover is nice at least.

[Julie Ross · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was just as depressing as it was the first time I read it lol. I didn’t get the point of making the whole plot focus on Summer cheating on her boyfriend, all the while he was hiding the fact that he’d cheated on her… with Summer’s cousin.

It just made me sad the whole 200 pages or so, but alas I will continue the series (again).

[Nat · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay so…..rereading this after 10or so years….im annoyed with Summer. I don’t like that she’s been turned into a cheater and has no loyalty to her bf who at least to her knowledge at this point is 100% loyal to her.

And the love bombing is crazy.
Austin knew her for a day before he fell in love with her
Seth knew her for maybe 3 days. Crazy. I wish it wasn’t written this way.

[Joline · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ich hatte das noch zu Hause und brauchte ein Buch, das ich in einem Rutsch im Zug lesen kann. Dafür war es gut. Hab die anderen beiden Teile mit 13/14 gelesen und geliebt. Aber für mein erwachsenes Empfinden war das nix 😂

[Melanie Hobbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a good series to continue reading when I'm at the beach soon 🙂.

[Taylor Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book it only took me a day to read it not even. Im so confused on the order of the books in this series tho! Excited to read tan lines next :)

[Darya Kowalski · Rating 5 out of 5]

A light read. Entertaining.

[Manda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good summer read. Always has something new in the plot.

[Danielle Timmons · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story was decent overall. It was predictable but good. However, the ending felt rushed and did not tie up the story or leave you hanging for the next book. Honestly, I was disappointed.

[A · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good book, really enjoyed the ending and the relationship that was being developed.

[Ritchelle Avriett · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was my least loved in the series.

[Marya · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silly, fun, teenage beach read.

[Tiffaney Simmers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kinda a slow start and I’m not the biggest fan of Austin. Hate Seth’s story line

[Kat · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 - 2.75

Read in one sitting at the beach so the match of atmosphere was *chef's kiss* but have to deduct the points for naivite and for some of the plot point being ??