This One Summer- Young Adult Graphic Novel

 

This One Summer

Graphic Novel

Young Adult

    This One Summer is a graphic novel for young adults.  Prior to searching for a young adult graphic novel, I had never heard of this book.  As I searched to find where this book was available, I can across articles that suggested there was some controversy surrounding this book, and this instantly piqued my interest.  In 2016, this book was removed from libraries in Henning, Minnesota and Longwood, Florida after parents complained about the books’ use of profanity and mature themes.  The author, Mariko Tamaki said the book is most appropriate for readers 12-18, but that it is an important book for young adults to read. It was featured in 2018 on a list of “Top ten most challenged books” as the 7^th most challenged book in 2018 and number 1 challenged in 2106.  It was challenged for “profanity, sexual references and certain illustrations”. 

        In 2014, This One Summer won the Ignatz award for outstanding graphic novel and the Eisner Award in 2105 for Best New Graphic Novel.  It also received a Caldecott Honor in 2015 and a Printz Honor as well. 

This coming-of-age story follows two young girls, Windy and Rose.  They are both on summer vacation in a beach town named Awago.  Rose is the narrator of the book.  She reflects on the previous summer in Awago and her experiences and insights as she has now matured another year. Rose cannot remember a summer where she didn’t spend her time at Lake Awago with her summer friend Windy.  Rose and Windy love to explore the beach and watch rented movies….remember when renting movies from an actual store was a thing?  The girls reminisce about their past summers and how they are eagerly awaiting for their bodies to mature and grow boobs.  Rose meets an older teenager named Duncan and soon develops a crush.  At Duncan’s they meet other older local kids.  They once hoped that they would grow up to be like them, but quickly begin to question this when they learn new derogatory words used by these older kids, like “slut” and “blowjob”. 

        The story shifts towards to some turmoil at home, where Rose’s mother and father have intensified conflicts.  Her mother is depressed, and Rose’s father leaves the house for several days after an argument between her parents.  Rose is very angry with her mom and calls her mom selfish. Later in the summer, Rose’s father returns back to the summer cottage, but the tension in the air can be cut with a knife and neither parent act like the other is there. 

        Windy and Rose also discover that Duncan’s girlfriend, Jenny is pregnant.  Duncan denies this claim and also suggests that the baby is not his and has another father.  He refuses to make doctor’s appointments too.  Duncan still refuses to accept responsibility for the child and tells Jenny to never speak to him again.  Jenny is distraught and runs off.  Rose goes to look for Jenny and discovers that she is drowning in the ocean.  Rose yells for her mom to save her; she saves Jenny.  This is where Rose’s mom’s source of pain is revealed.  Last summer, Rose’s mom had a miscarriage while swimming in the ocean.  Rose feels horrible for how she treated her mom and forgives her.  The novel ends with Rose and Windy reminiscing and wondering what the next year will hold for them at the lake.

        Because of the mature themes and language, this book is suggested for ages 12-18.  After reading the novel, I can understand why many parents wanted it banned from libraries.  Personally, I feel there is worse language on content more readily available to preteens and teens daily on tv, YouTube and social media.  The story provided in this novel is something that is very prevalent in today’s world and is very important for youth to read.  I would find this graphic novel most appropriate for high school students.

For classroom activities, I would suggest doing a character analysis.  Duncan, Jenny, Rose, Windy, Rose’s mom and Rose’s dad would all be great choices for the character analysis.  Another activity could be for the students to predict what might happen or change when Rose and Windy return to Lake Awago next summer.  What might be the same and how will things be different.