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.
Rating:
Summary: What A Great Summer Book!
Review: "That Summer" by Sarah Dessen is a great book. It is about a 15 year old girl named Haven who is facing a whole lot of problems--her height (She is almost 6 feet tall), her father getting married, AND her sister getting married also, to a boring Lewis Warsher, who just makes her sister Ashley seem as boring as him. Her frind Casey also returns from summer camp as a different person that Haven has to get to know all over again. Nothing seems to be going right for her until one of Ashley's old boyfriends name Sumner, who made a lot more sense as Ashley's boyfriend then Lewis does, shows up again. He shows her that everything isn't as bad as it seems, and makes her feel better about her summer. This book is a good read that you will probably be able to finish in 3 days, tops. It is so good that you won't want to put it down!
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Summary: That Summer is amazing
Review: Haven's feel of her own body betraying her. The sister that is more than what it seems and how we, sometimes, hang into the wrong thing - not because that thing we hang to is bad but because isn't really accurate.
Rating: 
Summary: Leave this one on the Shelf!!!
Review: I am a fan of Sarah Dessen, so of course i did not hesitate to read That Summer. I am sorry to say that it was a great let down and not just because Sarah Dessen is a usually a wonderful author, because it was lacking in everything that makes a good book. For one thing, there was no plot. At first it seemed like you were being kept in suspence of what would happen next, but nothing DID happen. It was as if the last few chapters were not published with this book. If you are considering buying and/or reading this book, I advise you not to. Instead, read one of Sarah Dessen's other wonderful books such as Someone Like You or This Lullaby.
Rating: 
Summary: "It's funny how one summer can change everything."
Review: I love to read books by Sarah Dessen because they are good books to read. These are the types of books that a lot of people can relate to and enjoy reading. I have read 3 books by Sarah Dessen and I'm really glad I did because these books are fun to read. Haven's life is changing very quickly. Her sister is getting married and moving out, her best friend is picking up bad habits, her dad is getting remarried, her body is changing and those are just the main things among many other changes in her life she isn't satisfied with. And she just wishes things were like how they use to be back during that summer. That Summer is my favorite from Sarah Dessen because the character, Haven just impresses me with her witty thoughts and her personality. Also I can relate a lot because similarly I always think about the past and wish that I could go back to when I was happiest. Actually I bet a lot of us can related because I know we all would like to be back where we felt good and life just seemed so perfect. Mainly I think it's just having to deal with life. All and all it was a great book.
Rating:
Summary: ThAt SuMmEr
Review: In Sarah Dessen's first novel, Haven, a tall 15 year-old girl tries to deal with her life changing summer, while reminiscing about a special one that stood out in her memory. The summer where everyting was right and perfect and happy. The summer that her older sister Ashley was dating Sumner, and her parents were happy and together. Back in reality though, this summer was crazy, and strange- nothing was the same anymore. Her dad runs off with the "Weather Pet" and her sister is getting married to a boring guy named Lewis. Her best friend returns from camp a totally different girl, who smokes and has a long term boyfriend. Even Haven herself has changed. he is almost six feet tall, uncomfortable with herself and her looks. The boy who made everything right, Sumner Lee, makes a re-appearance after all those years during this summer, and Haven thinks he is the key to making everything go away and be normal again. By the end of this crazy summer, Haven finds herself and understands so many more things than she did before. Sarah Dessen is an oustanding author, who writes with a laid-back, detailed style that anyone can somehow relate to. Her characters are well-developed, and unforgetable. This is a book that you don't want to put down, but after you've finished it, you wish you had savored every page, not wanting it to end. It is sweet, truthful, sad, and funny, all at the same time.
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Summary: One of my favorites
Review: My friend has read every Sarah Dessen book and with every one she's read, she'd tell me "You HAVE to read this!" Well, I finally gave in, and couldn't be happier that I took her advice. That Summer starts off with Haven (a tall, lanky 15 year old girl) and her sister Ashley (20, about to get married to boring Lewis) heading off to their dad's wedding, to the weather girl that works at the same news station as he does. After the wedding, the book bounces back and forth from the present summer, and Haven's "picture perfect" summer. That summer (hence the title) was amazing. Her mom and dad were still together, and the whole family - and Ashley's current boyfriend, Sumner, someone that everyone loved - packed up and stayed at Virginia Beach for a while. Haven loved Sumner, he treated her like a ral person, not just his girlfriends little sister. But, when Haven and her dad are eating dinner one night (present times again) - Sumner reappears in Haven's life. It seems like everywhere she goes, there Sumner is, working another odd job. This book also deals with the fights that Ashley and Haven have (much like fights between any sisters), her mom's new friend Lydia...who is trying to change who her mom really is, and her best friend Casey, who has totally changed since camp. This book is great, and I'm glad I read it. It's highly recommended, Sarah Dessen is an outstanding author. Overall grade - A+
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: 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: 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.
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