Three Bird Summer

Gr 5–8—Twelve-year-old Adam has spent every summer in northern Minnesota at his grandmother's cabin on Three Bird Lake. This summer promises to be very different as it is the first visit since his parents' divorce. His dad, uncle, and cousins won't be joining them this year and Adam will spend the entire time with his mother and grandmother. Adam is actually looking forward to being the only kid and is a little put out to learn there is a new neighbor his age, a girl named Alice. Certain she will be just like the popular girls at his school who confuse and intimidate him, Adam is more surprised than anyone by the friendship they quickly form. When his grandmother begins to act strange, forget things, and leave mysterious notes in his room, Alice is the only person Adam can talk to about it. Together, they set out to discover the treasure alluded to in the notes. Adam is a fully developed character many readers will relate to as he works through his changing relationship with his grandmother and his friendship with Alice. The leisurely pace matches the setting of long days spent dock-sitting or canoeing, and nature is never far from Adam's mind as he watches loons, beavers, and even a pair of mink in their natural habitats. Rich in descriptive detail, readers will be able to fully visualize the characters and the lush setting of this well-written novel.—Amanda Raklovits, Champaign Public Library, IL