That Summer

That Summer

Sarah Dessen is one of the most popular authors for young adults. Five of her novels have been selected as ALA Best Book for Young Adults. One of her more popular books, This Lullaby was a finalist for the LA Times Book Prize. Her first two books That Summer and Someone Like You were the basis of the movie How to Deal.
Haven, the main character, is a 15-year-old teenage girl that doesn’t seem to fit in anywhere. She’s already 5’11 and counting with lots of family problems. Her best friend is away for the summer leaving her to deal with everything by herself.   Her sister, Ashley, who seems ‘to live life just like Barbie’s; popular, perfect and always with a handsome boyfriend and the cool crowd ’is getting married to a man that’s oh-so-boring and that Haven can’t stand. Before Haven’s family life fell apart, she had a crush on her sister’s boyfriend, Sumner Lee. Sumner was charming, sweet, and funny. When he bumps into her a dinner with her dad, he sparks old memories of a summer vacation to Virginia Beach three years ago. The only thing is that he broke Ashley’s heart when he cheated on her. Haven’s parents are divorced and her mom is having a midlife crisis. Her mother goes out every Thursday with her new best friend, Lydia Catrell and is too busy with the wedding to deal with Haven and he problems anymore. Her father, who ignores her half the time, is a sportscaster who is getting married to the weather girl, Lorna. Or Weather Pet as her mom likes to call her. Ashley and Haven don’t really approve of this because she is old enough to be their sister.
With everything going on the only person she finds comfort in is Sumner. He seems to be the only one who understands what she’s going through. He has several jobs and seems to be good at everything. When her best friend finally got back from summer camp it seemed like she was always getting in trouble for some bad habit she picked up there. And just when things couldn’t get any...