"Heartwarming, poignant story of family life and love"
July 2019 Debut of the Month
Caterpillar Summer is one of those apparently quiet books that actually have a huge and lasting impact on readers. It’s the story of Cat - Caterpillar - and her little brother Henry, nicknamed Chicken, and the three weeks they spend on holiday with the grandparents they’ve never met before on the North Carolina coast.
The children’s father is dead and their mum works hard as a children’s book illustrator and lecturers to support them. Cat feels the weight of responsibility to help and in particular to look after her little brother who is autistic. When their planned holiday with friends falls through Mum has no option but to take them to stay with her parents, though she hasn’t spoken to her father since Cat was born.
Living with Lily and Macon by the beach, Cat finds time to make friends and with her grandma taking care of Chicken, to think about what she needs. She’s also able to work out the issues between her mum and her grandad, who she’s come to love, and effect a reconciliation. The story is beautifully told, the landscapes both interior and exterior, perfectly described and it manages to be authentic and hopeful. Highly recommended.
Andersen Press are particularly good at finding contemporary novels that give children the opportunity to consider what really matters - see also Susin Nielsen and Aoife Walsh.
This beautifully written, emotional debut perfect for fans of Lynda Mullaly Hunt or Ali Benjamin tells the story of a girl, her special needs brother, and the summer they will never forget."An engaging, honest book." --Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, Newbery Honor-winning author of The War That Saved My Life"A beautiful story of family, forgiveness, life on an island, and growing up."--Kate Messner, author of Breakout and The Seventh Wish
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When he has a "meltdown" she's the one who scratches his back and reads his favorite story. She's the one who knows what Chicken needs.
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Caterpillar Summer and determined it is suitable for children aged 9-12 years old
Caterpillar Summer features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Featured Books for 9+ readers, PSHE: Special educational needs and disability (SEND), Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Children’s, Teenage and Educational, PSHE: Siblings, PSHE: Family Issues, Featured Books for 11+ readers
Paperback, Hardback. Not Available.
Caterpillar Summer was written by Gillian McDunn and published by Bloomsbury Children's Books an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing
Caterpillar Summer has 295 pages
