All Summer Long

All Summer Long
Hope Larson
FSG, 2018 172 pages
Grades 4-8
Graphic Novel

The summer before eighth grade is turning out to be a disaster for Bina. Her next-door-neighbor/best friend Austin is going to soccer camp for a whole month. Every other summer the two friends have kept a summer fun index. This year Austin doesn't want to do it and is acting weird and distant. While he is gone, Bina strikes up a friendship with Austin's previously despised older sister, Charlie, who is stuck at home with a broken arm. The two discover that they both have similar tastes in music and adventure. Eventually Austin returns, yet is even stranger than before and Bina is confused. She falls into her music, listening to new bands and practicing her guitar. A concert and face-to-face encounter with her favorite musician is a game changer for Bina and she begins to embrace her true self. Finally, she and Austin talk it out and begin a new and different chapter in their relationship, while Bina finally believes that maybe she is cool enough to be a friend to Charlie. Bina begins eight grade headed in a direction more true to her real interests and happier and more mature than she was a few short months previous.

Veteran graphic novelist for young people, Hope Larson, presents a coming of age tale sure to appeal to the fans of Smile, Roller Girl, and El Deafo. The latest in a string of graphic autobiographical realistic books for late elementary students, All Summer Long will speak to budding musicians and anyone who feels as if their friends are leaving them behind. Larson captures the emotions and language of this age group perfectly and the novel is truly believable. I grew up across the street from two sister and became best friends with them out of proximity and at different times was better friends with one over the other, depending on interests and where we were in maturity, so I completely relate to this scenario. I also remember those endless summer of boredom, discovering new people and interests and returning to school a different person. Larson's illustrations are expertly drawn. They are colored in different hues of orange, a color often associated with the season of summer. The cover of the book feels a bit retro-in a cool way- and will attract readers. The title of the book feels is reminiscent of a song title and fits perfectly with the story. Bima is a creative spirited character who kids will relate to and like. She is bicultural and has a married gay brother who is in the process of adopting a baby, giving the book an extra rich layer. A summer filled with music and no responsibility sounds like heaven, although nothing is heaven when you are thirteen. Larson captures this sentiment brilliantly.