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The Summer Sherman Loved Me

by Jane St. Anthony



      Margaret thinks of herself as too tall and plain, and tries to emulate her best friend. The cute boy from across the street that she thinks might be her boyfriend, Sherman Jensen, has "the kind of arms that could rescue girls." 

A summer to remember in Margaret's life starts with the first warm night she is allowed to sleep on the front porch.  13-year-old Sherman whispers, "Margaret, I love you." from his own front porch. The night brings on a great adventure where they go to the park on bikes (in their pajamas), and Sherman's prank infuriates Margaret. This lively debut novel covers all the emotions that kids feel in their relationships with their parents, siblings and friends. 

This story takes place in a small town in the '60s, where life was less complicated than it is now.  Birthdays are celebrated in the backyard with all the neighbors invited. Margaret's younger brother and three-year old twin sisters are a hoot as are the neighbors, Mr. Underwood and his elderly mother.  The interaction with the kids and their parents, friends and neighbors is very entertaining. Sherman's shenanigans are hilarious and his baby pet squirrel, Little Margaret, is adorable. Tweens will be able to relate to the full range of emotional happenings that had me laughing and then crying as Margaret learns to deal with her changing feelings and an unexpected loss.

This book will provide great summer reading for your favorite young girl who may have questions about her own emotional status.

The Book

Farrar, Straus and Giroux
April 18, 2006
Hardcover
0-374-37289-6
Children - Ages 8-12
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Excerpt
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The Reviewer

Beverly J. Rowe
Reviewed 2006
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© 2006 MyShelf.com