Twenty Boy Summer

TWENTY BOY SUMMER by Sarah Ockler seems to be everywhere right now and so are the glowing reviews for it. In fact, I don't remember reading even one less than positive review. I actually read this novel a few weeks ago while I was with my family at the swimming pool, and I swore that I was going to come home right away and write my review. Famous last words because life has just gotten in the way (and a little old thing called BEA.)

So now, I'm writing my review about two weeks after finishing this book which I really don't like to do because I tend to forget details after a few days. However, this one time I think it's going to be okay. TWENTY BOY SUMMER is one of those books that has actually stuck with me -- I can remember this book like I just read it and the characters keep popping up in my mind. I think that says a great deal about the quality of this novel.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER is Sarah Ockler's debut novel, and I have to admit that I'm a little surprised by this. I found her writing to be so polished and real that it just seemed as if she's been writing books for a long time. Her prose and descriptions are just beautiful, but I also really appreciated how authentic her dialogue was. I can't say enough about how she developed the characters in this story, especially Anna; and I think she captured the devastating effects of loss on a family so very well. I really think Ms. Ockler is going to have a wonderful writing career ahead of her, and I'm looking forward to her future books.

Although I really, really liked this book (and maybe even loved it) I have to mention that I was a little surprised that the back cover of the ARC says that this novel is for ages 12 and up. My daughter is almost 10 years old and I realize that there is a lot of growing up between the ages of 10 and 12, but I don't think that I would let me daughter read this book until she is quite a bit older than 12. TWENTY BOY SUMMER deals with some mature issues including teenage sexuality. In fact, one of the major story lines is about Anna's attempt to meet twenty boys over the summer and lose her virginity to one of them -- they actually refer to it as "Anna's Albatross." I felt as if losing one's virginity was taken very casually in this story, and I kept hoping that there would be a big moral lesson at the end of the book. I realize that this casual approach might be reflecting reality in today's society, but I don't want my daughter reading about these things until she's much more mature.

Having said that, there are so many wonderful things about TWENTY BOY SUMMER and I do recommend it (just to adults or older teenagers.) I can not rave enough about how the author portrayed grief and loss as themes in this novel. My heart went out to all of the characters, but especially Anna. Not only did she lose one of her best friends in the death of Matt, but she also lost her first love. In addition, Frankie, who was her best girl friend, was dealing with the loss of her brother and the effects that had on her entire family. It was almost as if Anna lost both of her friends with Matt's death. And since Anna wasn't talking about her feelings for Matt with anyone, I think it made it even more painful for her to deal with this loss. My heart went out to her on so many levels.

I also think the author did a wonderful job of showing how Matt's death affected his entire family. Frankie's reaction to his death and her eventual acting-out seemed to be very realistic to me (albeit unfortunate.) However, I also thought Frankie's parents' actions seemed genuine. Even though the story was told through Anna's eyes, the reader could still see how devastating the loss of a child can be on a marriage and a family.

TWENTY BOY SUMMER is a terrific book that I highly recommend reading. If you are looking for a beautifully told story that deals with loss and grief, then you should really take a look at this novel.

Anna's best friend Frankie is determined to make this summer their Absolute Best Summer Ever. To the outsider, it seems like it will be perfect: Frankie's family is taking Anna on their annual vacation to Zanzibar Bay, California and Frankie schemes to meet twenty different guys while they're there so she and Anna can have the perfect summer romance. But really, Anna and Frankie are still reeling from the loss of their best friend and Frankie's brother, Matt. And what Frankie doesn't know is that Anna's already had her perfect summer romance--with Matt.

Though outwardly fun and flirty, below the surface Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer is a reflective and insightful story of loss and discovery as well. Ockler does an excellent job at characterizing each person in her novel, even the most insignificant characters, making Anna's world tangible and realistic. The different portrayals of each person's grief--Anna's retreat into her journal, Frankie's recklessness, and her mother's withdrawal--are all apt and serve as one of the most significant elements of the novel as it causes conflicts and also enables each character to grow. Ockler's simple use of juxtaposition is also a striking element, and is a detail that really stands out. Twenty Boy Summer is a fun-filled, romantic book containing every girl's dream summer vacation, but made more meaningful by the grief and sadness that Matt left behind. It's wonderfully detailed and sensitive as it exploes the bonds of friendship, first (and second) love, loss, and ultimately learning to let go. Twenty Boy Summer is a definite summer must-read.

Cover Comments: Love, love this cover! It's so beachy and fun. The sea glass is a really nice touch that ties into the book, and I like the look of the boards that make up the background. I can just picture the beach whenever I look at it. Though the font of the title isn't my favorite, I like how the white stands out. This cover definitely gets my seal of approval!

This is the first YA book I have read since, well, I've been a YA, which is plenty long ago... Anyhow, I absolutely loved this book. Sarah Ockler has a wonderful voice and a great way with words. You can absolutely believe the characters and their conversations, and the tempo of the book never drags. It takes common subjects like friendship and death, and deals with them in an original way. I am eagerly anticipating Ockler's next book.

Covers really can be deceiving. Titles are no better. When you look at this cover, what do you think is going to happen? Girl seeks boys, girl finds one boy, boy changes girl, life continues happily? Boy are you wrong. Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer has more going on than you might think given such a deceptive title...

Anna, Matt, and Frankie were best friends. Of course, Frankie (Francesca) was Matt's little sister and Anna was in love with Matt. But that all changed when Matt professed his love for Anna at her birthday party. He asked her to keep their love a secret until he and Frankie went away with their parents for the summer so he could explain the relationship properly. Unfortunately, they never got that far, as after a month of hiding their relationship, the day before Matt and Frankie were to leave for Zanzibar Bay, the three of them decided to go for ice cream. On the way home, a car accident leaves Anna and Frankie shattered emotionally and Matt gone forever.

Now it is a year later and Frankie's parents decide they have to go back to Zanzibar Bay. Still grieving for the loss of Matt, they pack up with Anna in tow and head for the beach. Before they leave, Frankie convinces Anna to make a pact to hook at least twenty boys in their three weeks at the beach. Since the loss of Matt, Frankie has changed to someone Anna barely recognizes. Although she can only think of Matt and the only secret she every kept from Frankie, she agrees to the pact just to make things better with Frankie, and relieve a little guilt.

Once on the beach, Anna meets one boy she can't stop thinking about. Frankie continues on her quest, but Anna is torn between really liking this local surfer boy and feeling like she has betrayed her first love, Matt. When Frankie reads Anna's journal and learns of her relationship with Matt, it seems like nothing will ever bring the friends back to the way they were before the accident.

This book blew me away. The grief Anna, Frankie, and Frankie's parents suffer is so real, almost palpable. When Frankie's mother admits to Anna she knows the relationship with Matt was more than friends, you can almost feel the ache in Anna's heart. When the family arrives at their beach house, the pain will course through your body. You can see them grieve. You can feel them hurt. Ockler has delivered a story that will make you suffer and survive right along with the characters. It also shows the difference in how people grieve, which is an important lesson for people to learn. Anna turns within herself and refuses to open up. Frankie opens up to everyone just to fill the void. Frankie's mother and father are barely speaking or holding themselves together. This vacation to Zanzibar Bay was a life journey the reader should feel both privileged and saddened to journey down.

The writing is fairly simple, but this story really deals with mature situations. There is a decent amount of sex as Frankie tries to find solace anywhere she can get it, but nothing is graphic. Instead, it is usually just implied. The grief and loss is handled beautifully, but is a very heavy subject that might be too much for a student who has suffered any great loss recently. The beauty of this story is it will hook a girl who doesn't usually read serious stories with its lure of fun and beaches, but it will deliver lessons they never saw coming. If you give this book a chance, I promise you will never be the same.

A year ago, Anna was best friends with Frankie and her brother Matt. However, the day before Frankie and Matt were planning to go on their annual trip to Zanzibar Bay, the three of them were involved in a car accident. The accident killed Matt. A year later, Frankie's family has planned another trip to Zanzibar Bay. This time, they are taking Anna. Frankie decided this would be a great way for Anna to have her first summer romance. They will meet twenty boys in Zanzibar Bay. Anna agrees, but she is hiding something from Frankie. Last summer, Anna and Matt had a romance...

Twenty Boy Summer is a heartfelt novel that YA readers should not miss. From the beginning Ockler had me entranced in a story of grief and most importantly, moving on. Each character had their own way of grieving, and because of Ockler's writing, I was able to sympathize with all of them. The novel had a great balance between heartache and light-heartedness. Obviously, there's grief from the loss of Matt, but there's also light-heartedness from the beach setting. At Zanzibar Bay, Anna meets someone else she really likes. Ockler did a wonderful job describing Anna's worries about forgetting Matt, but also wanting to move on.

Twenty Boy Summer is also a good story about friendship. Frankie and Anna have been neighbors and best friends since they were young, so as you can imagine, they have been through a lot together. However, this does not mean that their friendship was perfect. Anna and Matt never told Frankie about their relationship. They planned on telling her, but Matt's sudden death stopped this. A year later, and Anna still has not told Frankie. However, Frankie has some secrets of her own. All of this explodes into a big climax that will tear at heartstrings. Overall, an excellent debut novel, and I look forward to more by Sarah Ockler.

Twenty Boy Summer is a great story about friendship and grief. This is perfect for anyone looking for a beach read with substance.

In a word this book is wonderful simply and utterly exquisite.

Ockler has painted a most realistic portrait of a teenage grief. Demonstrating that such emotions are indeed unique to each individual she paints an intricately detailed portrait of differing coping mechanisms. Anna is the introvert who retreats into the solitude the pages of her journal provide all of her emotions expressed as swirls and strokes on the formerly blank pages. Frankie, on the other hand, is the outgoing boy crazy girlie girl interested in gossip and fashion and make up. None of which even remotely entertains her best friend.

Interestingly it is the changes in these girls since tragedy struck that resonates with the reader and derives the most meaning. This is where Ockler has really provided us with the truest picture. Prior to certain events Anna was more outgoing, fun and free-spirited while Frankie tended to be the girl that everyone took care of and watched out for. She was a girl who was far more reserved than the one we see in Zanzibar Bay.

Besides showing a realistic view of how these girls cope with life altering events the author handles the concept of teenage sex responsibly. Anna is seen to be struggling with the idea of losing her virginity while Frankie is more aloof. I imagine that in a group of giddy girls this is exactly how things would fall out amongst them.

Ockler shines most vividly in her portrayal of family dynamics and friendships as her characters navigate tension-filled and emotional circumstances. She shows the struggle to move past tragedy with realism focusing on parental concern, strained marriages and friendships, altered personas and the struggle to find one's place in the world after it's shattered beyond recognition. She does so with great feeling and compassion that the reader feels every inch of the struggle right along with the characters.

The subject matter of this book is not always light yet Ockler has written it in an entertaining and enlightening manner giving the reader a wonderfully poignant story they can relate to. I strongly encourage anyone to read Twenty Boy Summer it's well worth it.

I adore this book! Twenty Boy Summer is a poignant, lyrical glimpse at friendship, loss, and the healing power of love. Ockler weaves her tale with lyricism and beauty, deftly creating characters that are imperfectly real and powerfully honest. A triumphant debut.

Anna is going on a trip with her best friend, Frankie to Zanzibar Bay. Frankie thinks that it will be the perfect time and place for a summer romance, a quick and harmless fling. During swimsuit shopping, Anna and Frankie come up with a plan for the Absolute Best Summer Ever. The plan is to see who can get the most guys in twenty days. The problem is that Anna, isn't over Frankie's Brother, Matt, who died suddenly in a car crash. So, Anna is holding on to that time with Matt and hiding the secret from Frankie.
Twenty Boy Summer had an amazing setting. I felt like I was in California and feeling the sunshine, when I read it in March. Anna was true to herself. Her relationship with Matt appeared to be honest and sincere. There were a few things that I didn't like about Frankie in the beginning, but she seemed to grow up and be more honest. Oakler does and amazing job creating a well woven story that digs in to your heart. You will cry, laugh, and fall in love with the characters and the storyline. Oakler has an amazing debut of love lost and living every moment of your life to the best you can. I loved this book and could fangirl it for quite bit longer. Anyways, I recommend this book.
Twenty Boy Summer comes out on June 1st.

I loved, loved, loved this book. It was the first one I read by Ockler, and I haven't looked back since. Anna and Frankie have a great friendship, and I loved following Anna as she tried to move forward from a tragic loss without revealing her deepest secret to Frankie. My heart broke for both of the girls, but I rooted for them all of the way. This book weighed on my heart and stayed with me. It's a must read for anyone who wants to have the feels.

I really enjoyed this book its a great teen girl summer book. It's happy then it's sad. A lot of emotion and I love the character's personalities. Great for teenage girls. My friends have read it as well and we all loved it.