The Summer I Learned to Fly

The Summer I Learned to Fly
By Dana Reinhardt
Wendy Lamb Books, 2011. 216 pgs. Young Adult

Thirteen-year-old Drew is a bit different than her peers--she's kind of a loner, her mother has just opened a cheese shop, and she has a rat for a pet. Still, as summer begins, Drew thinks everything's going well--she's going to work at the cheese shop and learn from handsome Nick how to make delicious pasta. But Nick gets a girlfriend and Drew's mom says money is too tight to pay and has a secret boyfriend of her own. As Drew's world starts changing, she meet Emmett Crane, and their friendship changes the world for both of them.

This book was delightful to read; the characters and the emotion were spot-on. While it has a bit of a slower plot, it gives readers a lot to think about. It's set in the 1980s, but the experiences and emotions are definitely ones teens today could have. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

AE