This book had been on my “To Read” list for a while, since it appeared on a Banned Books List a few years ago. But it took me until this year to actually pick it up and read it. I’ll admit, I wasn’t wowwed. It was good, but I had a hard time really connecting with the characters. Maybe it’s because I haven’t read a lot of Graphic Novels – it’s generally not a medium that I connect to as well (when it comes to more serious matters. I love it for light and fun reading). It was a good enough book, but not one I really found myself drawn to. But, just because I didn’t particularly enjoy it doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great book for some, and certainly doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be made available! Intended for ages 12+ it seemed a perfectly reasonable book for that age group.
Every summer, Rose goes with her mom and dad to a lake house in Awago Beach. It’s their getaway, their refuge. Rosie’s friend Windy is always there, too, like the little sister she never had. But this summer is different. Rose’s mom and dad won’t stop fighting, and when Rose and Windy seek a distraction from the drama, they find themselves with a whole new set of problems. It’s a summer of secrets and sorrow and growing up, and it’s a good thing Rose and Windy have each other. – summary from Goodreads
This One Summer was on the top 10 banned list for 2016. The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund has a good article about the challenges to this book, making note that the fact it received a Caldocott Award may have contributed to some of the negative attention it recieved, “A few people, believing the book is aimed at younger readers because it is a Caldecott Honor Book, have been shocked to find that the award winning graphic novel is intended for audiences age 12 and up. Instead of acknowledging their responsibility for knowing the content of a book before purchasing it, some of these people have instead attacked the book, calling for its removal.”
Check out the Office of Intellectual Freedom write-up about This One Summer, and the challenges to it.
Eclectic Alli 