Jeremy Grabowski's Crazy Summer in Stormville by Richard W. Carlson, Jr.
iUniverse.com, 2001
ISBN: 0595173488 - Trade Paperback
Ages 9 - 12 / Takes place in 1978

Reviewed by Beverly J. Rowe, MyShelf.com

Carlson's childhood imagination is still with him, and he tells his story from the perspective of a ten year old very convincingly. He has a unique voice and a viewpoint that is refreshing in his first book. Jeremy Grabowski has all sorts of problems, from Robert, the bully that lives down the street to the fact that his parents are planning to move to Tucson, Arizona...a world away from Stormville, New York...and Stormville is where Jeremy wants to live.

The characters are well rounded, and ring true to life. Julie lives next door, and Jeremy is convinced that she has a crush on him. Sean Capinelli, Jeremy's best friend, helps out as they work their way into and out of trouble together. Mr. Carson makes everyday happenings seem like great adventures; just the kind of problems that every child can relate to. He gets stung by yellow-jackets, gets stuck in mud, has to wear GIRLS jeans and lied to his mother about the raisin cake. Each chapter is a new crisis.

There are subtle lessons in each chapter about friendship, loyalty, telling your Mom the truth, and doing the right thing. Not only is living in Stormville fun, it's fun to read about too, and would be appropriate to read aloud to younger children.

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