Rating: 
Summary: A Great Book
Review: I think this is a great book because Sarah(the author)really describes the way Haven is like. In some parts of the book I got a little confused.For example when Casey told Haven that she was in love with Sumner did Haven felt a little jeaolus was it because she liked him too? Well I stilll think that it was a great book.
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Summary: A charming, terrific book, for teens or adults.
Review: I completely agree with the previous reviewer: I was 23 when I read this book, and a guy to boot, but I still found it insightful and sweet. It's a dead-on look at what it's like to be uncomfortable with what should feel the most right: your body, your family, your brain. Haven is a very well-drawn character, with quirks and rough edges that feel like real life. A strong debut.
Rating:
Summary: wowed
Review: i recently purchased this book and i got to reading it right away. definately hard to put down. it is easy to relate to. it mixes in things that will make you laugh, cry, and inspire. i reccomend this to everyone.
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Summary: Dessen writes a smart, insightful novel for teens & adults.
Review: I must confess, I enjoyed this book even though I was 27 when I first read "That Summer." If only it had been around when I was 15, like the protagonist, Haven.Without getting sensational, Dessen has explored a trite teen issue-- divorce and remarriage of one's parents-- in a new way. Haven deals with the adjustments to her family in a way that shows reflection and self-respect. And Dessen has a sense of humor to keep this novel readable. My book club-- which consists of adults-- enjoyed this novel as much as many that are intended for older readers. This is a great book for parents (and step-parents) to read with their teens, and it is also a great big-sister/ little-sister book. I don't think I've ever read a novel intelligent enough for teens and their parents to talk about together. If you buy a copy, make sure it gets read by more than one member of the household (or else buy more than one copy-- this book must be shared!).
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Summary: This is a marvelous book!
Review: THAT SUMMER is the debut novel from Sarah Dessen, whose writing and insight bely her age -- she is in her mid-20s. It is the story of one summer in the life of 15-year-old Haven, a summer bracketed by two weddings -- her sportscaster father's to Lorna Queen, his TV station's "Weather Pet," and her sister Ashley's to dull Lewis Warsher. Faced with such dramatic change, Haven can only wish it was five summers ago, before her parents' divorce, when Ashley was dating Summer Lee. Summer transformed the day-to-day for their whole family, and when he suddenly reappears in Haven's life, she has to come to terms with the difference between memory and truth.
THAT SUMMER is an ideal book for fans of Lee Smith, Jill McCorkle, and -- of course! -- teenaged girls. "Haven is the most honest and lovable character to observe the makings of a wedding since Carson McCullers's Frankie in THE MEMBER OF THE WEDDING." -- Jill McCorkle
"This first novel is written with such easy grace that you want to quote sentence after sentence. Haven's funny, desperate voice draws you into every scene." -- Booklist, starred review
"First-time author Dessen adds a fresh twist to a traditional sister-of-the-bride story with her keenly observant narrative full of witty ironies. Her combination of unforgettable characters and unexpected events generates hilarity as well as warmth." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review Puffin will be publishing the paperback edition of THAT SUMMER in (fittingly) Summer 1998.
Rating: 
Summary: Great book!
Review: The book was good it really was but I found soem parts boring but I still liked the book,very well writtned and I like the characters.But I like Someone Like You better.But I still think this book was really good
Rating:
Summary: One of Ms. Dessen's best
Review: "It's funny how one summer can change everything." Thus begins That Summer, the debut novel of remarkable author Sarah Dessen. With those first few words you are instantly pulled into the chaotic world of Dessen's gangly fifteen-year-old protagonist, Haven, whose summer revolves around two weddings: her father's, to the pulchritudinous local weather girl; and her sister Ashley's, to reliable-but-dull Lewis Warsher. The former wedding is something Haven is struggling to come to terms with. The latter she is flat-out dreading. Add to this the fact that her recently divorced mother's life is seemingly being taken over by her new bosom buddy, Lydia; and on top of it all Haven has to work a thoroughly hateable job at a children's shoe store.
Enter (or rather re-enter) Sumner Lee. Sumner is an ex-boyfriend of Ashley's whom Haven has clearly always idolized. It's not too hard to see why - he is a loveably idiosyncratic, wonderfully written character. Haven always associates him with a beloved summer several years past (hence the title) when he accompanied her then-undivorced family on a trip to Virginia Beach, and when he re-enters her life this year, on a break from college, she naturally sees it as a sign. She wonders if there is some way she can get Sumner back together with Ashley, certain that as long as he is around everything will be all right.
I don't want to give away too much more of the plot, because this one simply must be read. It is well worth purchasing sight unseen, because once the reader gets into it they will never want to put it down. In my opinion this is possibly the best of Dessen's six novels (I say "possibly" because 2002's "This Lullaby" certainly gives it a good run for the money). That Summer is endearing, charming, moving, sad, and funny all at once -- no mean feat.
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Summary: Review of That Summer, by Teal Federman
Review: The book That Summer is nothing like any book I have ever read before. The main character is Haven McPhail. She is a sophmore in her school and loves to shop. Haven lives with her mom and has one sister, Ashley. Once a week Haven goes to dinner with her dad that lives close by.
Haven and Ashley are very different! Ashley is always the best, better or greatest at everything. She is pretty, cute and has a well balanced figure. Haven is tall, unporportioned, and dealing with adolencent problems. Ashley is a material girl and throughout the book is stressing about her wedding. Lewis is Ashleys fiance and is not too much fun, from Haven's perspective. Haven's favorite of all Ashley's borfriends is Sumner Lee. He went on vacation with their family to Virginia when Ashley and him were together.
Haven and Ashley's mother is energetic and lively. She always knows what is wrong and what is right- like every mother knows. Also she is the first person to know that something is up. Their father is a News broadcaster for the local television channel. His newly married wife is the weather forecaster for the same channel. Her name is Lorna Queen, but most people call her the weather pet.
Sarah Dessen, the author, expresses the moods of the characters and describes their reaction very vividly. She uses the best techniques to wirte with expression. Sarah Dessen also paints a qicture of the scene in your head. This use of imagdry is very helpful throughout the book. Also it makes the characters come to life. "I went down stairs and opened the door. Sure enough, there was Lewis in one of his trademark skinny ties and oxford shirts." Quoted from the book this is an example of the way she paints a picture.
Another writing technique she uses is irony. Throughout the book she mentions and describes in great detail a certian person. At the end of the book we realize how that character isn't who we thought he /she was. This change in a person's identity was a large use of irony because it changes most people opinions about this person. The author is an excellent writer and should write more books with the same theme. She also is good at describi ng feelings of problems and adolencence.
My opinion of this book is that it is very good. I couln't put it down. Everyday had an issue I could relate to. Other people deffinately could relate to this book too. This book shows the challenges of an average tennage girl and how she deals with them. Today I could use some of her stratagies to make my problems easier.
Rating: 
Summary: Hopeful!
Review: Sarah Dessen's debut novel, "That Summer", isn't her best achievement but it shows true hope and promise of her rising YA author stardom.
However, it is a coming of age story I think a lot of people, young adult and older(like, say 34) could relate to. At some point in our lives we all have similar experiences to the main character, Haven. She is 15, feels awkward in her own skin, and with divorced parents, an older sister who is getting married, and a best friend who's fallen in love. After reminiscing about a summer trip, she bumps into her sister's ex, Sumner.
Not only is he not who Haven thinks he is, but she's not the same person by the time her sister's big day arrives.
I think it's best to read this before her other novels because if you go to this after reading, "dreamland", you will be sorely disappointed.
I didn't do this, and I loved all her other books much more immensely. Her writing gets better with each book.
This was a very green Dessen, but very hopeful.
Rating:
Summary: That Summer
Review: While it is true that Haven isn't as developed as some of Dessen's other characters, I still found this book thoroughly enjoyable. I don't think this book was meant to be an in depth epic novel, it's just a simple story about a girl and the summer that changes her life. She is a doormat to the world, tolerating her dominant sister and her inconsiderate father who goes off to start a new life and family, but she still hangs on to the good times and that is how she is able to tolerate. Well, tolerance only goes so far.
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