Book Review and Giveaway: "Twenty Boy Summer" by Sarah Ockler

I'm giving away 5 brand new copies of today's book! Leave a comment with your email address so I can contact you if you win. I'll pick a name and announce the winners on Wednesday June 17. US and Canada addresses only (No PO Boxes). Good luck!

PLEASE LEAVE A WAY FOR ME TO CONTACT YOU!!!!

ENTRIES WITHOUT CONTACT INFO WILL NOT BE ENTERED.



"Don't worry, Anna. I'll tell her, okay? Just let me think about the best way to do it."
"Okay."
"Promise me? Promise you won't say anything?"
"Don't worry." I laughed. "It's our secret, right?"

According to her best friend Frankie, twenty days in Zanzibar Bay is the perfect opportunity to have a summer fling, and if they meet one boy ever day, there's a pretty good chance Anna will find her first summer romance. Anna lightheartedly agrees to the game, but there's something she hasn't told Frankie---she's already had that kind of romance, and it was with Frankie's older brother, Matt, just before his tragic death one year ago.

Beautifully written and emotionally honest, this is a debut novel that explores what it truly means to love someone and what it means to grieve, and ultimately, how to make the most of every single moment this world has to offer.

This was seriously one of the most heart wrenching YA books I've ever read. The story makes you want to cry as you read of a first love that will never be, a heart that is shattered and a secret must be kept forever. When Matt died, his family was allowed to grieve publicly and chose not to, keeping themselves conflicted over their emotions. Meanwhile Anna is grieving on the inside with no one to tell how she really feels. Things are made worse when she has to keep this secret from even her best friend, who was Matt's sister. As the story goes on, Anna feels that she has lost out on everything that could have been a part of her and Matt's story. The part that really got to me was when Anna cries up to the sky, demanding to Matt why he had to leave them and why she had to go through all of this alone.

It's a great summer read though. The location of most of the story is at the beach so the sounds of the waves crashing and the warm rays of the sun can be felt throughout the book. I could picture myself hanging out with Anna and Frankie as they lay out on the beach, checking out guys, and making plans for the Absolute Best Summer Ever. There's a lot of fun mixed in the story as well. However don't pass this off as just flimsy teen lit. This book handles more serious issues and is insightful, poignant and moving. Ockler's voice in this book is magnificent. She perfectly portrays the feelings of a teenager who lost her first love and feels conflicted about the past. She really brings Anna to life and allows the reader to see her inner struggles and her pain. Emotions run deep while reading this book and don't be surprised if you end up a bit teary eyed. It is best recommended for older teens due to the thematic issues and sexual content (nothing graphic however).

Twenty Boy Summer by Sarah Ockler is published by Little Brown Young Readers (2009)

Comments

  1. leann8:08 AM

    Please count me in for a chance to win! Am I the first to enter!?!
    Thanks!

    leann-28@hotmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  2. Anonymous8:12 AM

    Entering....vmvazquez83@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. OoO - The 20 Boy Summer is on my 15yo's list of books she wants to read this summer. *fingers crossed*

    kylee.challenge AT gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you for doing this giveaway! I'm really excited about the release of this book. PBS: somercel contact: somer.gatlin@gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  5. Anonymous9:14 AM

    Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of this awesome-sounding book!
    joann from PBS
    joanner from FR

    ReplyDelete
  6. From the title, I've been thinking this was strickly a fun-type book. Glad I read your review and realize it's deeper than that. I'd love to win a copy for my teenage niece. Thanks for the chance!

    geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lacy (hellolacy)9:14 AM

    Sounds like a great summer read! I would like to enter: lacyckelly at gmail dot com. Thanks! :)

    ReplyDelete
  8. Don't enter me. I'm looking forward to reading this.

    ReplyDelete
  9. This is on my summer reading list! I would love a chance to win it. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Cheers,
    julie.sherritt[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  10. I would love to be entered in the contest. Thanks so much for the offer!

    Mstermind1 at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  11. Anonymous10:14 AM

    Please enter me. Elizabeth
    PBS (ManolasMom)

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous12:26 PM

    Please enter me.

    jjameli@cableone.net

    ReplyDelete
  13. Anonymous1:38 PM

    This sounds like a fun book to read for the summer. Enter me,pretty please. :)

    ConnieJ at FR

    ReplyDelete
  14. Great book, thanks!
    delilah0180 (at) yahoo (dot) com

    ReplyDelete
  15. Jenna2:38 PM

    That sounds really interesting!
    vailfiregirl at PBS

    ReplyDelete
  16. I'd like to be included, thanks!
    dag888888 at yahoo dot com

    ReplyDelete
  17. Please enter me. mybookviews[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  18. Great review, I'd love to win this book! Thanks for the chance!! My email is mlb108[at]gmail.com

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous8:28 PM

    Can you enter me?

    echolder at verizon dot net

    Thanks!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. JDobs at FR7:58 AM

    Thanks for the opportunity to win a copy of this book, it sounds like a great read!
    Julie (JDobs)at FR

    ReplyDelete
  21. Anonymous10:21 AM

    Please enter me in the contest! Already a great read!!! Thanks, Chrissey (1236 Howard Ave, Pottsville, PA 17901)
    chrissey67@yahoo.com

    ReplyDelete
  22. I'd love to try this one out with my daughter.
    thedeena63 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  23. Anonymous9:16 PM

    I would love to win this book!

    pookie0331@gmail.com

    Thanks!

    Vicki

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh yay i'd la la LOVE to win this book!

    heatheranne99 at hotmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  25. I'd love to enter!

    lc_intocable[a]yahoo[d]com

    ReplyDelete
  26. Anonymous4:43 AM

    Please enter me. Thanks!

    tiffanyak1986(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  27. I'd like to read this; I enjoy YA fiction.

    melacan at hotmail dto com

    ReplyDelete
  28. This book is on my WL and I would love a chance to read it!

    purplg8r@aol.com

    ReplyDelete
  29. Anonymous1:13 AM

    Please enter me! I'd love to have a chance to win this book.
    Fmartin816 (@) comcast (dot) net

    ReplyDelete
  30. Please include me in your giveaway


    "Canadian Contests, Freebies, Coupons, Deals, Games and Fun:
    CoolCanucks.ca"


    bluebelle0367(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  31. Anonymous12:33 PM

    hello please include me in the chance to win :)
    tiffanypatton79@yahoo.com
    thanks so much

    ReplyDelete
  32. I would love to be entered! :D

    yan.pocky[at]gmail[dot]com

    ReplyDelete
  33. Anonymous7:46 PM

    I would love to win this book.
    RJB
    loki304[at]tds[dot]net

    ReplyDelete
  34. Anonymous11:36 PM

    Would like to enter!
    ealaindraoi at PBS,
    brenda [at] ealaindraoi [dot] com for email

    ReplyDelete
  35. Please include me in your giveaway.
    Thanks
    Carlene
    iluvreading(at)Verizon.net

    ReplyDelete
  36. I always need something to read! Please count me in for the contest.

    Kate
    baggyk(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete

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