The Summer I Turned Pretty

Author: Jenny Han
Recommended Age: Young Adult
Publisher:  Simon & Schuster Books For Young Readers
ISBN-10: 1416968237
ISBN-13: 978-1416968238
Year Published: 2009
No. Pages: 288
Genre: Realistic Fiction
Main Character Gender: Female
Read & Reviewed by: Lakeisha

 Fifteen-year old Isabel “Belly” Conklin spends every summer of her life at her mom’s best friend’s house at Cousins Beach. Susannah, Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher are basically family. This summer things have changed because Belly is prettier, and more womanly, everyone begins to treat her as more of an adult. She is also finally noticed by Conrad, her crush of the past five years. Jeremiah, on the other hand, is starting to fall in love with her. Which brother will she choose?

I liked Jenny Han’s writing because it was written in first person making it was easy to visualize being there with Belly. I also liked how she used flashbacks from when Belly was younger so I could connect to her character on a deeper level and understand the personal history that tied these characters together.

I liked this book because one day, I will be able to relate to Belly. I will have that summer I won’t ever forget and experience true love just like Belly did. I recommend this book to people who are a bit more mature and can deal with romance without giggling.

I didn’t always like Belly because at times she can over-exaggerate feelings and situations. She was often moody and I just thought her mood changed too much. (This is no doubt what most parents think of their teenage daughters.) Even so, I loved this book. It was a fun quick read. It took me about a day. Even though it is a light read, it deals with death and divorce, as well as the true value of friendship.

I think both males and females should read this book because everyone will be able to relate to one of these characters. This book is part of a trilogy and is followed by It’s Not Summer Without You and We’ll Always Have Summer. I gave this book a ten out of ten.