June is staying with her grandparents while her parents care for her sister, Anna, while she is in the hospital. This is a somewhat sad and reflective book. June's loneliness is felt deeply.

From the title, A Summer without Anna, I knew this would be a tough but necessary read. Thankfully, it’s not a book about grief or loss, but it is a book about change and loneliness when there’s a change in family dynamics due to illness. What was once a wonderful summertime tradition of visiting grandparents is fraught with worry over her big sister’s health. Her presence is all-time lingering but she’s not there so there’s a loss but an awareness that Anna is real and important and loved. The illustrations and colors were a soothing palette that was neither sunny or gloomy, but an in-between that allows the reader to exist on a plane of worry but hope. This is an important book for readers who need a bit of insight on how to deal with such medical disruptions in one’s family.
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

A summer without Anna

"Before they go, they hand me a box. Inside is Anna's camera, the one she never lets me touch."

Mom and Dad leave Junie with Nan and Pop for the summer. She has to stay at their house, but this time it's without her sister Anna...

"P.S. This is just a loan !
P.P.S So you'd better not break it !"

This is kinda of as heartwarming as heartbreaking (a little). The sisters' relationship is really adorable, it's actually really nice to witness. Junie and Anna are so sweet towards eachother, weither they are in eachother's presence or not.

The illustrations by Risa Hugo have that quite nostalgic style. I think it gives the story and the book some familiarity and gentleness. It welcomes us, readers. It's warm like a blanket, as if it's reassuring us as long as Junie.

"A luna moth lands on the window screen. She keeps me company until I fall asleep."

Junie tries to keep herself busy as she waits for her sister comeback. She feels lonely and thinks really often about Anna. She wishes Anna was there with her. She keeps on some mission and traditions she used to have with her sister in the meantime. Take pictures, captures moments, using Anna's precious camera.

"A loon calls low and lonely accross the water.
I wish I could photograph the sound and take it home to Anna."

It's a nice book for children, with an important subject. Familiarizing them about a thing that could happen in life. With one way of how to handle it.
It's about sisterhood, having a sibling who's sick or unwell. About sisterly love, how to keep them in your thoughts and heart. Wait, hope, do things for the other even if they're not there physically with you.

#ASummerwithoutAnna #Netgalley

Normally, older sister Anna accompanies Junie when they go to visit their grandparents, Nan and Pop. But not this year, as Anna is in the hospital. Instead of playing with Anna, Junie spends the summer taking photographs and looking for an elusive ancient turtle named Edmund. And feeling anguished with worry over Anna’s illness.

What a wonderful picture book, dealing with a subject simply too big to easily put into words! Children face death, illness and other sorrows that hit those around them, and this book sends the message that they’re never alone. In both senses, as others too worry about their families, and as children want reassurance than others care about them, no matter what.

In the interest of full disclosure, I received this book from NetGalley and Kids Can Press in exchange for an honest review.

A Summer Without Anna by Kate Jenks Landry is a beautifully written, heart-wrenching novel that delves into the complexities of grief, love and healing. The story follows the young girl Junie, who is forced to confront deep emotional loss during a transformative summer, as her elder sister Anna was sick and could accompany her. Author's prose is evocative, capturing both the delicate and intense emotions of her characters with remarkable sensitivity. While the pacing can feel slow at times, the rich character development and the book's poignant theme make it a compelling read. Fans of introspective fiction will appreciate the emotional depth and the quiet power of the narrative. A true empathetic tribute to the love and bonding of siblings.

For me, it is a solid 4.5 stars.

A Summer Without Anna, delicately handles an emotional topic. The relationship between the main character and her grandparents was very sweet. I liked the emphasis on spending time outdoors, it teaches children how healing nature can be. The illustrations are lovely and the color palette made me think of spring and new beginninings.

A story that gently explores some big emotions. Beautifully illustrated and I enjoyed the emphasis on being out in nature.

The illustrations are absolutely stunning, Overall, the book was well written and I did really enjoy it. Thank you for this advance reading copy!