Book Review: Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly

Seventeen-year-old Angie just graduated from high school and thought this summer would be no different than any other. But that was before she caught the eye of Jack Duluth, the popular basketball star with the All-American good looks. It’s not long before she’s going to country club dances, hanging out by the lake, and, just maybe, falling in love.

Written by Maureen Daly when she was a teenager herself, Seventeenth Summer is often considered the first true YA novel. It’s still in print and Simon and Schuster will be releasing a new edition this month. But, as with most books written almost 70 years ago, the story is pretty dated and it’s not just in the social norms. Unlike modern YA books, there’s very little dialogue to be found here. It’s hard to tell why Angie and Jack even like each other, considering they spend so much time not talking (and don’t think they’re filling their time ‘necking’ — Angie can barely bring herself to utter the word). Angie’s other relationships aren’t much better. The minor subplot involving Angie’s sister Lorraine and her on-again-off-again male caller has some nuance to it, but Angie and Lorraine’s interactions are more about what they can’t bring themselves to say to each other. Modern readers may be frustrated by the lack of action, but the romance, while innocent, will still capture the hearts of teen girls. The story is also a fascinating look at everyday life in the late 1930s, which could be appealing for readers with an interest in past generations.

Find in a library or on Amazon.

Covers Throughout the Years

April 12th, 2010  ♥  Books, Reviews, YA Decades Challenge  ♥  No Comments »