An American Summer

by Frank Deford

Set in the nostalgic year of 1955, this touching novel reveals a unique kind of love between kindred spirits. A bittersweet post-summer story about innocence and summers that are so special that they can't last.--San Francisco Chronicle.

Genres: Fiction, Historical Fiction, Coming Of Age, Friendship, Adult Fiction

229 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2002

About the author

Frank Deford (born December 16, 1938, in Baltimore, Maryland) is a senior contributing writer for Sports Illustrated, author, and commentator.

DeFord has been writing for Sports Illustrated since the early 1960s. In addition to his Sports Illustrated duties, he is also a correspondent for HBO's Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel and a regular, Wednesday commentator for National Public Radio's Morning Edition.

His 1981 novel, "Everybody's All-American," was named one of Sports Illustrated's Top 25 Sports Books of All Time and was later made into a movie directed by Taylor Hackford and starring Dennis Quaid.

In the early 1990s Deford took a brief break from NPR and other professional activities to serve as editor-in-chief of The National (newspaper), a short-lived, daily U.S. sports newspaper. It debuted January 31, 1990 and folded after eighteen months. The newspaper was published Sundays through Fridays and had a tabloid format.

Deford is also the chairman emeritus of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. He became involved in cystic fibrosis education and advocacy after his daughter, Alexandra ("Alex") was diagnosed with the illness in the early 1970s. After Alex died on January 19, 1980, at the age of eight, Deford chronicled her life in the memoir Alex: The Life of a Child. The book was made into a movie starring Craig T. Nelson and Bonnie Bedelia in 1986. In 1997, it was reissued in an expanded edition, with updated information on the Defords and Alex's friends.

Deford grew up in Baltimore, Maryland, and attended the Gilman School in Baltimore. He is a graduate of Princeton University and now resides in Westport, Connecticut, with his wife, Carol. They have two surviving children: Christian (b. 1969) and Scarlet (b. 1980). Their youngest daughter Scarlet was adopted a few months after the loss of Alex.

Reviews

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a really subtle book. It starts off with that "aw shucks" its the fifities kind of feel, but it really is much more layered and complex than that. It was sort of a coming to knowledge story as the main character moved from a somewhat sheltered childhood into a more complex adolescent both internally and in the environment around him. It was the kind of book that I really thought about for awhile after I read it. Could easily be read as superficial, but the layers are there if you want to dive in.

[Norma Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm still reading this book, but it has so touched my heart that I just wanted to share. This is a story of love, courage and a very rare and special friendship. I highly recommend this book. It is a beautiful story and you will be blessed. 10/08 _ I finished this book last night. I identified with polio scare of the early 50's as I was thought to have had a light case of polio and was in the hospital for a month. The courage to live with polio and still even touch and make a difference in the lives of others is truly remarkable. This is a wonderful story.

[Hila · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. It is set in the 1950s and is basically a coming-of-age story about a young boy named Christopher "Christy" Bannister. He moves with his father to Baltimore, MD at the beginning of summer while the rest of the family stays in Idiana to finish out the summer. In Maryland, Christy meets his first friend, a 23-year-old woman named Kathryn who contracted polio and is now in an iron lung. The two become very close and Kathryn begins training Christy for the annual Marines Day swimming race.

It is a feel-good story about love and the difference one person can make in the life of another. There were many poignant parts, but the book was also full of wit, which I love.

The two things I do want to caution, though, are that the language may be offensive to some people (the "f bomb" was dropped a few times) and there is a rape scene -- though not incredibly explicit and graphic, it is described by an outside observer. These are the only two reasons I rated it 4 stars. Otherwise, I absolutely loved the book.

[Arianna · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like my sister, the book definitely made me cry. And it was certainly really interesting reading about a girl in an iron lung - especially since my generation was lucky enough not to have to live through the horrors of the polio scare. I love reading books about that era, and particularly about young kids growing up then, but this book wasn't quite all I had hoped it would be - it was certainly no Stand By Me/Different Seasons, which is probably my favorite movie/book about childhood in the 50s. But it really was interesting to read, and I enjoyed it while I flew through it - I chose to read it because it had been so long since I'd had a chance to read an actual NOVEL, so I was eager to pick up something I knew would be quick & engaging, both of which this book was. And it was certainly an interesting look into a different part of the 50s - that not-so-innocent-as-they'd-like-you-to-think era.

[Jo-Ann Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great summer read. A coming of age story set in 1954 Baltimore. It is a quick read that holds the readers interest as the young Christy does a lot of growing up over a summer in a new city.

The characters were well developed and realistic. The scenes were vivid so the reader felt as if they were there in the street when Christy is attacked by the Drapes or around the pool with Katheryn and the neighborhood kids. It leaves you thinking about the characters after you have finished the book.

The book deals with a number of sensitive and disturbing subjects with compassion. Those things could have made this a dark story but instead there is a lot of joy and hope. The dialogue is realistic and witty.

I am sure I will be thinking about this book for a long time.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great summer read/beach read. Set in a summer in the mid-50s--polio is rampant. New in town, Christopher (Christy) a 14-year old, befriends 21-year old Kathryn who is in a wheelchair because of polio. A sweet, innocent friendship. I loved these characters. I actually cried several times while reading this, which says a lot! My dad would have been about Christy's age in the mid-50s, so that was neat to think about. I am going to pass the book on to my mother. Also, this book made me very thankful that we have vaccinations.

[Michaela Raschilla · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was thinking about this book a while ago. I remember reading it forever ago and really enjoying it. It was a book I went into knowing nothing about it and came out loving it. That was back when I ate books like my life depended on it and it didn't matter what genre or content was within the book all that mattered was that there were words on a page. Sometimes I wish I could get back to that time. Sometimes I feel like I can do it again, but my mood always changes now.

[Rebecca Dauber · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book had me hooked. While I didn't grow up in the 1950s, I still felt a sense of nostalgia while reading this book. Deford hooked me from the first paragraph. And while I knew deep down how this had to end, I wanted to deny it the entire time I was reading it. The characters were so descriptive and vivid that I felt like I knew them. What a great read! I wish this would be made into a movie.....perhaps it has been and I just don't know it.

[Deborah · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 1/2 stars! A really great read. I grew up in the 60's not 50's as in this book, but there are enough things that had me getting nostalgic for those simpler days.
I never knew much about Polio, and looked it up after starting this. Very unique having one of the main characters in an iron lung.
The story isn't all love and happiness, several bad things take place, but it was a wonderful heartfelt story.
Sh-boom Sh-boom!

[Susan M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Our book group just finished this novel by local author, Frank Deford. It was an interesting journey back to the fifties and an era when one disease, polio, could cripple or kill; devastating so many families. This is a coming of age story with two wonderful protagonists - Christie, a shy awkward new kid in Baltimore, and Kathryn - his wealthy, beautiful neighbor who is trapped inside an iron lung.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this in one sitting. Set in Baltimore in the 50s, a 14-year old boy befriends a 23-year old woman stricken with polio. While others gasp at he Iron Lung, Christy sees only Kathryn's heart, knowledge, with, and street smarts. It develops into a love story - one driven by trust, support, caring, laughter, believing in one another, and seeing dreams come true.

[Su · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy Bannister is 14 and has just moved to Baltimore with his family. One of the first people he meets is 23 year old Kathryn Slade who is in an iron lung as a result of contacting polio. Their friendship is amazing and written so believably that you envy them their connection. This book is a quick read, but one that leaves you thinking about the characters and the bond they forged.

[Amy Kitchell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interestingly enough, the novel begins in Terre Haute, Indiana, just an hour drive from me. However, by page two they're moving to Baltimore.

Coming of age in the 1950s. Adorable narrator. Fun characters. Sweet story.

A good time to read a summer book this month of May, when weather is warming, flowers are blooming, and school is ending.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the first times I have teared up while reading in a long time. Could not put this down. Really interesting story about Polio -- something I really knew nothing about. Also prompted an interesting conversation with my mother who was born in 1950.

[Kristina Pullen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent.....love books with multiple subplots.....cause isn't that like real life.......story bout a boy coming of age in the 50's, accepting differences in people, and learning about social mores and how sometimes your heros aren't infallible......excellent engrossing read

[Edie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ah, the 50's when we thought the life was good. New boy in town (Baltimore no less!)meets polio victim who takes him under her wing and teaches him to fly. Not sure why I didn't rate this a bit higher...just didn't grab me overmuch.

[Cathy]

I found this book by sheer accident at my library. Used to listen to Deford on NPR and loved his voice and sports oriented essays. Reading An American Summer I heard that voice in every word. And it's a really good story.

[Jane Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book - very nicely done story of a 14 year old boy who becomes friends with a young woman with polio. Tells the story of the time well and I really liked the characters and the portrayal of their friendship. Also enjoyed the historical perspective

[Kelly Glenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

You will love this book! So much nostalgia and such an awesome true story. Christy and his family move from Terre Haute Indiana and get involved with new people in a new place. Meeting Kathryn (a paraplegic from Polio) is a life changing friendship for Christy! You will laugh and cry along.

[Maureen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good read - a charming coming-of-age story.

[Sonia Reppe · Rating 5 out of 5]

A new boy in town befriends a young polio victim in this funny and tragic tale set in the summer of 1955.

[Mimi · Rating 5 out of 5]

great coming of age book for a 14 yr. boy

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a novel set in the 1950's and tells how a girl in an iron lung influences a younger boy. Well written and poignant. I cried at the ending.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Christy Bannister looks back on the summer of 1954, a time made special by his relationship with twenty-three-year-old Kathryn Slade, a polio victim confined to a respirator.

[Cmetzker]

Interesting story about the outbreak of polio during one summer and its affects on a group of young children.

[Rosie · Rating 3 out of 5]

so far so good but I am not sure it is going anywhere..

[Colleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned more about polio and what that meant for people in the early 50's. I also enjoyed learning a little bit about everyday life during that time.

[Hieka · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book was not bad but I thought that the characters were not developed enough.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story is beautiful! A great book about friendship and a joy to read!

[Rieta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book. I read this a couple years ago and just remembered it today. It was a unique coming of age book. Deford is a sportscaster most days but his writing is sublime.