You've Been Away All Summer

by Sheila Hayes

After a summer spent away in Connecticut, twelve-year-old Fran looks forward to resuming her usual activities with her best friend Sarah, but Sarah has a new friend that seems to claim all her time and attention.

Genres: Young Adult, Middle Grade, Childrens

160 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1988

Reviews

[Mindy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yes, this 50 year old is 5 staring this ya title from 1986!! What can I say it returned me to a simpler time. I discovered this book from a Buzzfeed Books email listing 15 YA books from the 80's and 90's That have Stood the Test of Time. Buzzfeed knew what they were talking about because this one totally held up. Not only did this capture perfectly friendship between girls at thirteen, it also was a love letter to New York City. It takes place between September and January so it's perfect for this time of year.
How many of you remember when this was a thing;

"So if I want any privacy at all, I have to move the phone out into the hall. Sometimes my brother hangs around to listen, and then I have to take it into the bathroom. When I'm grown up and rich, I'm going to have telephone extensions in every room in the house."

I enjoyed this one so much because for a little while I was 13 instead of 50!

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fran and Sarah were best of friends, but after Fran spends the summer away, she returns to discover Sarah met a new friend, and it seems like nothing will ever be the same.

A great book about friendship, tolerance, and learning to accept the inevitable changes in life.

[Danielle Routh · Rating 5 out of 5]

An old favorite from when I was younger. Apparently Buzzfeed included it in a list of "80s and 90s Books That Have Stood The Test of Time," and I can't agree more. Somewhat dated references to legwarmers and Princess Diana aside, Fran is a flawed yet likable narrator who is pleasantly clueless regarding boys (oh, how I empathize) and worries that her best friend Sarah will abandon her for the glamorous Marcie Metcalf. My favorite part of this book is the ending and how every character is humanized. It's not all sunshine and roses, but Fran does realize that having multiple friends and sharing friends is okay, a surprisingly mature ending that doesn't feel pat. I actually ordered this one because I love it so much, and I'm glad I'll have it for future rereads.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

The four stars is a shout-out to how I felt when I read this years ago. Lately, I've been trying to shelve some books from my elementary school days simply so they won't be forever lost to me. Memory is a hell of a "drug." (Please read that last sentence as Dave Chappelle's Rick James). I was trying so desperately to remember this book, and I finally happened upon the book cover (on another site) and had an "a-ha" moment. I loved this book back in the day. I think I even wrote a book report on it in 4th or 5th grade. How lame did that just sound?

[Elizabeth · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this when I was younger. It is definitely for younger readers. I remember really enjoying it. For those of us who have felt alone and friendless at times in life it is nice to read books like this and know you are not alone.