The Summer of Broken Things

Fourteen-year-old Kayla Butts receives an unexpected invitation to spend the summer in Spain with a wealthy family acquaintance, Maddie Hawkins. The two girls from very different backgrounds must navigate their new living arrangement while staying with Maddie's father, who is working on a business deal in Madrid. During their time in Spain, both Kayla and Maddie confront truths about their families and identities. Their summer experience forces them to question their assumptions about each other and themselves as they explore Spanish culture and deal with mounting tensions. The girls face choices that test their loyalties, beliefs, and understanding of family bonds. Their parallel journeys through a challenging summer lead them to discoveries neither could have anticipated. This coming-of-age story examines class differences, family secrets, and the complex ways people can be connected to one another. Through its dual narrative structure, the novel explores how perspective shapes truth and how adversity can forge unexpected connections.

Readers describe this as a slower-paced, character-driven story that explores family secrets and relationships between two teenage girls. Many note it's different from Haddix's usual science fiction works. Readers appreciated: - Authentic portrayal of teen friendships and family dynamics - Strong character development, especially for Avery - Handling of complex themes like privilege and identity - Spanish cultural elements and Madrid setting Common criticisms: - Pacing too slow in first half - Marketing misleads readers expecting more action/suspense - Some found the ending rushed - Character Kayla described as unlikeable by multiple reviewers Ratings: Goodreads: 3.7/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.2/5 (90+ ratings) One reader noted: "Not what I expected from Haddix, but the relationship development between characters kept me reading." Another stated: "The story takes too long to get going, but pays off in the end."

The Speed of Life by Carol Weston A fourteen-year-old New York girl mourning her mother's death forms an unexpected connection with her father's new girlfriend's daughter from Spain.

Stealing Home by Becky Wallace A teen athlete faces life changes and family revelations when her dad's job forces her to move from Chicago to a small Texas town.

The Truth About My Unspectacular Summer by Becky Mandelbaum Two estranged cousins spend a summer together in Spain, uncovering family secrets and confronting their complicated relationship.

The Mother Daughter Book Club by Heather Vogel Frederick Four girls and their mothers forge bonds through a reading club while navigating friendship challenges and family dynamics.

See You At Harry's by Jo Knowles A middle school student's summer transforms when family restaurant responsibilities, sibling relationships, and an unexpected tragedy collide.

🌟 Margaret Peterson Haddix wrote this novel after her own daughter spent time as an exchange student in Spain, drawing from real experiences to create authentic details about Spanish culture and teenage life abroad. 🌟 The book explores complex family dynamics, including the rare medical condition Trisomy X syndrome, which affects approximately 1 in 1,000 female births. 🌟 Many locations featured in the novel are real places in Madrid and its surrounding areas, including the historic Plaza Mayor and El Retiro Park. 🌟 The author conducted extensive research about Spanish host families and exchange programs, interviewing multiple students who had participated in similar experiences. 🌟 The novel addresses themes of privilege and social class through its dual protagonists - one from a wealthy family and one from a middle-class background - offering different perspectives on the same experiences.