Thank you, NetGalley for providing me with this digital ARC.

Patricia MacLachlan is a well-known children’s author. This new middle grade is a sweet and simple story of family, friendship, and love. MacLachlan’s writing style makes reading a breeze and her characters are quirky and interesting. Strangely enough, the main character’s name is Louisiana, which I’ve never heard as a name before until reading Kate DiCamillo’s newest release, Louisiana’s Way Home. While I prefer DiCamillo’s writing a bit more, there’s something very similar about the styles they use.

A few things in the story sat weird with me. Some parts of the story seemed to move too quickly, particularly parents deciding in such a rushed manner to leave their kids behind for a couple years. There’s also a romance between multiple couples—the grandparents, George’s parents, and Louisiana and George (who are 12). Not that romance is bad or to be frowned upon, but I don’t imagine I’d want to use this as a read aloud for that reason.

Overall it’s a good, easy, feel-good read.

I had the opportunity to read a NetGalley digital ARC of this middle grade novel in exchange for a review. This book tells the story of Louisa’s summer on Deer Island with her brother, her grandparents, and a budding romance with George. Each summer, Louisa’s parents leave her and her brother with their grandparents as they travel around the world studying and photographing birds in their habitats. This summer, Louisa becomes aware of her grandfather’s failing eyesight, her growing attachment to the island and its people, and her affectionate feelings for George, whose parents met in Tanzania. As the summer begins to wind down, Louisa realizes that she really doesn’t want to leave. Young readers will enjoy finding out if she and her brother, Theo, will be able to figure out a way to be able to stick around.
Since we’re in the midst of a cold and nasty winter, it definitely is a nice escape to read about Louisa’s summer on an island. But it’s also nice to read about friendships based on a mutual love of books, art, and a community of people that enjoy helping each other and playing together. Louisa is getting older and as her romantic feelings for George become more acute and confusing, her family is very supportive and understanding of her developing relationship with the boy. There is some kissing and some tender moments, but the romance is very appropriate for kids in grades five and up.
This book will be coming out in May. So, this will be just in time for some good summertime reading. I am sure that there will be lots of kids enjoying it during their vacations.