This One Summer

This One Summer follows Rose and Windy, two preteen girls who reunite each year at their families' beach houses in Awago Beach. Rose observes the tensions between her parents during what feels different from their usual summer getaway. The girls spend their days swimming, watching horror movies, and navigating the transition between childhood and adolescence. They become invested in the drama surrounding local teenagers who work at the beach convenience store. The story unfolds through muted purple-toned illustrations that capture both quiet moments and emotional intensity. The graphic novel format allows the artwork to convey unspoken feelings and shifting relationship dynamics. This coming-of-age narrative explores themes of family bonds, growing pains, and the end of childhood innocence. The book addresses how children process adult problems while dealing with their own evolving understanding of the world.

Readers connect with the authentic portrayal of early adolescence and complex family dynamics. The artwork receives frequent mention for its expressive blue-toned illustrations that capture both action and emotion. Readers appreciate: - Realistic depiction of awkward preteen experiences - Nuanced handling of adult themes through a child's perspective - Integration of art and text to convey mood - Natural dialogue between characters Common criticisms: - Plot moves slowly with limited resolution - Some find the ending unsatisfying - Mature themes make age recommendation unclear - Secondary characters could be more developed Ratings: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (37,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (500+ ratings) Reader quote: "Captures that specific summer feeling when you're on the edge of growing up but still holding onto childhood" - Goodreads reviewer Critical quote: "The pacing mirrors real life - sometimes frustratingly slow, sometimes rushing past important moments" - Amazon reviewer

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🌊 This One Summer was the first graphic novel to receive the prestigious Caldecott Honor Award in 2015 📚 The book was illustrated by Jillian Tamaki and written by her cousin Mariko Tamaki, marking their second collaboration after "Skim" 🎨 The entire book is drawn in a striking monochromatic blue ink, reflecting the beachy summer setting of the story 📖 Despite being marketed for young readers, the book has faced numerous challenges and bans in libraries due to its mature themes and complex subject matter 🏆 The work won both the Eisner Award for Best New Graphic Album and the Printz Honor Award for excellence in young adult literature