MS Review – Loon Cove Summer – middle school novel

Galanti, Donna. Loon Cove Summer. NP: Wild Trail Press, 2025.

Guide to Categories – MS Review – review of books for older elementary-aged and middle school-aged children

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Summary

“A warm-hearted novel … balances profound loss with humor and hope.” – Kate Allen, author of The Line Tender

Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson is determined that her life will finally get unstuck this summer. She just knows it. Her to-do list? Brave the lake again. Save the loons. Stop missing Mom. Her one bright spot: volunteering at the local wild bird rehabilitation center.

The summer looks even brighter when Sarah meets Theo, the boy staying at her family’s Maine lakeside campground who cares about protecting the loons just like she does. But when Sarah’s family may have to move, she adds a new to-do item: save their home. And when she suspects Dad is dating Theo’s aunt, the naturalist helping research environmental dangers to the loons, Sarah is caught in a new world of grief.

With the looming reality of losing her dad, her home, and the loons, Sarah must make a big statement to take control of her life. Capturing inspiration from her late mother’s Appalachian Trail hiking journal, she boldly plans a solo wild adventure. But as her challenges mount, she wonders if her courage will earn her the voice she seeks-or if she’s made a reckless choice that just might claim her life.

Purchase Loon Cove Summer on Amazon – https://amzn.to/44O8FMu

My MS Review

Loss and healing are, unfortunately, part of life for many. Galanti touches on the loss of a parent (who was also a spouse), loss of a home, and loss of a limb in Loon Cove Summer. The story is well-written and it is apparent that she understands teens.

Sarah’s mom died in the past year. Her father, also in mourning, doesn’t seem to realize that Sarah needs him. Sarah’s Uncle JuJu lives with them, he is her mom’s brother so he is grieving as well. Together they run a campground that is not making enough money. Sarah is trying to save the campground in addition to the  loons on the lake whose numbers are dwindling. I enjoyed the plot – it was a “can’t put it down” book. 

One item for Christian school librarians to be aware of is the amount of Buddhist wisdom shared throughout the book. Christian school librarians will want to read the book themselves to determine if it is appropriate for their audience. 

I received a complimentary copy of Loon Cove Summer. This is my honest review. 

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