This One Summer - Book Review

This One Summer - Book Review

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Posted 2023-12-17 by Marisa Quinn-Haisufollow
Tamaki, M. This One Summer. Tamaki, K. (Illustrator). First Second Books. (2014). Image Link

This One Summer is a graphic novel for young adults that was written by Mariko Tamaki and illustrated by Jillian Tamaki. It is 320 pages long and was published by First Second Books in on 6 May 2014. This One Summer is a coming-of-age story about Rose, a twelve-year-old girl, who spends every summer vacation in a lake house in Awago Beach with her parents. Every summer, Rose catches up with her friend Windy, who feels like the little sister she never had. Rose and Windy have been spending their summer vacations together ever since they were little. This summer, things feel different for Rose, her parents won't stop fighting and there's heartbreak and secrets in the air. As drama unfolds all around them, Rose and Windy's friendship will be tested, and they will take their first steps towards adulthood.

This One Summer is the most beautifully illustrated graphic novel book I've ever read. It has been called a masterpiece and a feat of graphic storytelling, and I couldn't agree more. Jillian's artwork was so impressive, it left me stunned at times. I've never seen such lifelike illustrations in a graphic novel before. Her art was so detailed, it felt like I was looking at photographs or was watching a motion picture film. I felt utterly transported, like I was there. I could hear the wind whistling through the trees and feel the crunch of dried leaves beneath my feet. This One Summer was a New York Times bestseller and a critical and commercial success that went on to win a number of prestigious awards. In 2015, the book won an Eisner Award for Best New Graphic Novel and a Pintz Honor and Calescott Award. At the time, it was the first graphic novel ever to receive a Calescott Honor and only the second to ever receive the Printz Honor. Mariko Tamaki was awarded the Lynd Ward Prize in 2015 for her work on the book and Jillian Tamaki was given the Governor General's Award for both children's text and illustration.

When I started work on this review, I was surprised to discover that This One Summer has been subject to criticism and even banned in some places, due to its mature themes, profanity, sexual references, and LGBT characters. For every review I found left by someone who loved the book, I found a review left by someone who described the book as "vulgar" because they felt the book contained content they considered to be "too adult" and "inappropriate" for younger readers. I couldn't disagree more. After reading This One Summer, I didn't find anything in it that I would consider to be vulgar, and I felt like the book was perfectly suited for its age group which is listed as being readers between the ages of 12 and 18. Mariko has skillfully written a story that accurately portrays the emotional ups and downs of a young girl on the cusp of adolescence. I felt like the book showed readers an honest depiction of young adult characters, how they act towards others, and the struggles that they go through to fit in among their peers. I can't wait to give this book to my daughters to read one day.

Summary: This One Summer is a coming-of-age graphic novel about friendship, secrets, and growing up
Website: This One Summer - Pan Macmillian Australia
Cost $29.99
More Book Reviews by Marisa
Spinning - Book Review
Are You Listening - Book Review
Clementine Book One - Review

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83570 - 2023-06-11 06:43:13

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