Summerlost by Ally Condie

 2018-2019 Maud Hart Lovelace Nomination List

Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Grade Level: 5^th – 8^th  

Reading Level: 4.1 (6 points) 272 pages

Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers (March 29, 2016)

My Rating: 4 out of 4

Readability: I enjoyed this fun and fast read.

MHL Division:  Division 2 or Crossover

Summary: 
Following the sudden deaths of her father and autistic younger brother, Cedar Lee spends the summer working at a Shakespearean theater festival, making a new friend and coming to terms with her grief.

I really liked reading this book. It was easy and quick to read and the plot was interesting. I also connected with the main character and enjoyed tagging along with her in her summer working at a Shakespeare festival. There is a bit of a mystery in the book involving a famous actress from the town and mysterious objects and vultures.  Cedar also wrestles with mourning the death of her father and younger brother.

Cedar Lee makes a friend named Leo who rides to work at the Shakespeare festival in his costume. She is curious about him and meets him, hit it off and then Leo is able to get a job for her as well at the festival. They become great friends and Cedar helps Leo with a business scheme so he can earn money to go to England.  I loved their friendship because she just clicked with him. Later Cedar questions Leo and wonders if he considers her a “girlfriend”. He responds that she is his person. And Cedar thought that was correct…she liked him like that too.

One thing I would change in this book is the paperback cover.  It is really boring and plain and not very enticing. The hardcover with the bicycles is much better.  The paperback cover might make the book a tougher sell!