Summer Uzoma is fine. Sure, her parents went on the run after they were accused of committing a crime, leaving her behind. Sure, she’s been alternating stays with her friends’ families. Sure, she sometimes still secretly visits her old home. And sure, she has trouble talking about any of this. But she’s fine. She has her skateboard and her bus pass. She just has to turn eighteen in a few weeks and then she’ll really and truly be free.
Today, I'm happy to be on THE MELANCHOLY OF SUMMER by Louisa Onomé and Macmillian's virtual book tour sponsored by Turn the Page Tours. Check out my review and learn how to get your copy below!
I give THE MELANCHOLY OF SUMMER ⭐⭐⭐⭐!
Summer is orphaned and is trying to keep from being discovered by child services until she turns 18, which is in a few months. She only has her skateboard, a few clothes, and little money. But when she turns 18, she’s free, according to her. But is she really?
This story is beautifully told. My heart ached for Summer as I discovered her parents abandoned her to flee the police because of a credit card scam. I couldn’t imagine being so selfish that I would leave my child to save my behind. But I suppose if you're a criminal and you don’t find anything wrong with scamming people it’s not too far a leap in leaving your child behind.
As Summer moves from friend to friend’s home trying to outwit child services, they soon discover that she has no one taking care of her so they send her to live with her cousin Olu, who moved back to Canada. Summer has only met Olu a few times so she’s not sure what to expect. Soon, Summer discovers true family, friendship, and trust again living with Olu.
I really enjoyed this book and I think it would be a wonderful addition to school libraries offering teens and middle schoolers a look into what it's like to be abandoned and discover what true friendship and family looks like.
TITLE: The Melancholy of Summer
AUTHOR: Louisa Onome’
PUBLISHER: Farrar, Straus, and Giroux (Macmillan)
RELEASE DATE: May 30, 2023
GENRES: YA contemporary, coming-of-age BUY LINKS:
SYNOPSIS:
After her parents go on the run, a teenage girl placed in the care of a cousin she barely knows learns to trust and open up in The Melancholy of Summer, a lyrical YA contemporary coming-of-age story by Louisa Onomé
Doesn’t she see? I can do this on my own.
Summer Uzoma is fine. Sure, her parents went on the run after they were accused of committing a crime, leaving her behind. Sure, she’s been alternating stays with her friends’ families. Sure, she sometimes still secretly visits her old home. And sure, she has trouble talking about any of this. But she’s fine. She has her skateboard and her bus pass. She just has to turn eighteen in a few weeks and then she’ll really and truly be free.
So it’s extra annoying when a nosy social worker gets involved. Summer doesn’t expect any relative to be able to take her in, so she’s very surprised to hear that she’ll now be living with her cousin Olu―someone she hasn’t seen in years, who’s a famous singer in Japan last she heard, and who’s not much older than Summer.
Life with Olu is awkward for many reasons―not least of all because Olu has her own drama to deal with. But with her cousin and friends’ efforts, maybe Summer can learn to trust people enough to let them in again?
About Louisa
Louisa Onomé is a Nigerian-Canadian writer of books for teens and adults. She holds a BA in professional writing and a MA in counseling psychology. Her debut young adult novel LIKE HOME was critically acclaimed, receiving several starred reviews, including from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal. When she is not writing, she works as a narrative designer in games. Her hobbies include language study, obsessing a healthy amount over her favorite video games, and perfecting her skincare routine. She currently resides in the Toronto area.
Learn more about Louisa and her books at louisaonome.com or follow her on Instagram