What do you think?
Rate this book
Stride's Summer
Evocative and beautifully observed, this narrative perfectly captures the world of Stride, a boy on the cusp of adolescence. When Jess arrives unexpected and uninvited, a chain of events over which Stride has no control pushes him into a new world of love, fear, shame and self-discovery. Even his previously indestructible relationship with Ferd, his pet cockatoo, is cast in a different light when Jess is around. He must find a way to deal with Ferd, Jess, and his own tempestuous emotions—all the while adapting to the drastic changes that surround him.
180 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 9, 2021
Ferd is an excellent bird.
January 20, 2026
a good story, I really wanted it to be longer
January 11, 2012
Stride’s Summer is a contemporary story set on the Australian coast. It is a touching story of loss, grief, family and friendship.
This novel opens as Stride is on his way to his father’s funeral. It follows Stride and his family as they come to terms with their grief. Stride’s mother shuts her children out as she struggles to cope with her loss. Stride is angry and they often argue over silly things like the chores around the house. Stride finds strength through his attachment to his late father’s cockatoo. Ferd is a great comfort to Stride and this book is in part about their growing relationship. Stride takes Ferd everywhere – for walks on the beach, for bike rides and even lets him sleep in his bedroom.
Stride meets a strange girl near the beach and he is unsettled by her and the way Ferd responds to her. Stride resents tourists who take over the beach which he has lived by his whole life. This story evokes the Australian setting wonderfully – the wildlife, the beach, the homes, the bush – the authenticity of the world was tangible.
There is a simple and gentle heart to this story. It is about Stride coming-of-age through his grief but also through his bravery. He has to find a way to become his own self and the man of the house. The book has a simple plot but it has a surprisingly fast pace with great action and it seems to race ahead. I think this novel will suit younger teens as it conveys the sadness of loss but also the comfort of friendship. There is no gritty edge but I’m sure there wasn’t meant to be. It is about a boy and his bird and their journey together to find a way forward after such a tragic loss. Stride’s Summer is a short, touching read.
This novel opens as Stride is on his way to his father’s funeral. It follows Stride and his family as they come to terms with their grief. Stride’s mother shuts her children out as she struggles to cope with her loss. Stride is angry and they often argue over silly things like the chores around the house. Stride finds strength through his attachment to his late father’s cockatoo. Ferd is a great comfort to Stride and this book is in part about their growing relationship. Stride takes Ferd everywhere – for walks on the beach, for bike rides and even lets him sleep in his bedroom.
Stride meets a strange girl near the beach and he is unsettled by her and the way Ferd responds to her. Stride resents tourists who take over the beach which he has lived by his whole life. This story evokes the Australian setting wonderfully – the wildlife, the beach, the homes, the bush – the authenticity of the world was tangible.
There is a simple and gentle heart to this story. It is about Stride coming-of-age through his grief but also through his bravery. He has to find a way to become his own self and the man of the house. The book has a simple plot but it has a surprisingly fast pace with great action and it seems to race ahead. I think this novel will suit younger teens as it conveys the sadness of loss but also the comfort of friendship. There is no gritty edge but I’m sure there wasn’t meant to be. It is about a boy and his bird and their journey together to find a way forward after such a tragic loss. Stride’s Summer is a short, touching read.
March 30, 2012
I liked the bird and how he came back to stride in the end, that was sweet
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews