By Emma Wertheimer, Year 10
As we slowly approach the warmer and sunnier seasons, there are a few inevitable reads that will immediately get you into the summer mood. One of those being, “The Summer I turned Pretty” by Jenny Han. This romance based book explores the themes of friendship and love, as well as personal growth.
Set in Cousins Beach, a small town in Massachusetts, Isabel, Belly Conklin annually spends summers with her two childhood friends, Jeremiah and Conrad Fisher, and their mother Susannah as well as her mother, Laurel and older brother Steven. Although she is returning to a home at where she feels familiar, this summer feels different. Belly has just turned sixteen and she feels she is finally old enough to fit in with Jeremiah, Conrad and Steven. Even though she has always had a crush on Conrad, she shortly realizes that her feelings are beginning to change and that the entire dynamic is different. This summer, Conrad’s behaviour is unusual. He seems to be more reserved and discreet, which immediately perturbs Belly.
Before Belly’s sudden growth and development, she was not used to getting attention from other people, especially boys. But now, not only do Conrad and Jeremiah start to pay attention to her, but also other boys, like Cameron, a boy she met while attending a bonfire. After getting to know each other better, her and Cameron start getting closer and shortly after, begin to date.
This change leads to much confusion and mixed signals on Conrad’s behalf. Because of Conrad’s new personality, he also starts acting differently towards his own family. Many people are worried for him, especially his mother who is hiding the fact that sadly, her cancer has returned.
Another significant change adding to the tensions in this story, is Steven who is spending his last summer at Cousins Beach before going to college. This is a very emotional addition to the story as it symbolizes him maturing and no longer being a young teenager.
Lots of misunderstandings occur, mainly due to the fact that the teenagers are each growing up and going through different periods of their lives. But despite these changes and summer being different to what it used to be, Belly continues to stay true to herself and to others.
