A Song for Summer

I didn't really enjoy this book because of the style of writing. I think that I didn't like the style because it was written like it was written in the last two century. I didn't find the characters very intresting, but I don't really like old fashioned books. I preferred the other books that Eva Ibboston wrote after this one.

I didn't like it much, and I put it down halfway through because I didn't enjoy it very much, and I had tonnes of homework and I couldn't waste my time reading it. I think it would of gotten better, but I had a lot of other good books to read as well.

Eighteen-year-old ellen never expected the Hallendorf school to be, well, quite so unusual. After all, her life back in england with her suffragette mother and liberated aunts certainly couldn’t be called normal. but buried deep in the beautiful Austrian countryside, ellen discovers an eccentric world occupied by wild children and even wilder teachers, experimental dancers and a tortoise on wheels. And then there is the particurally intriguing, enigmatic, and very handsome Marek, part-time gardener and fencing teacher. ellen is instantly attracted to the mysterious gardener, but Hitler’s reich is already threatening their peaceful world. only when she discovers Marek’s true identity and his dangerous mission does ellen realize the depth of her feelings for him—and the danger their newfound love faces in the shadow of war.

I feel this book is for much older readers, like 18+ as it has an old language style that some younger people wouldn't get as much as if you were older. I think I would of enjoyed it a lot more if it was written better, the characters were younger and the plot was a bit more exciting at the start.

Reader reviewed by Sara

Ellen Carr is raised to be an intellectual - but what she really wants to do is cook beautiful food. So Ellen is thrilled to leae behind the grey drizzle of London and start her fist job - as a housekeeper at the Hallendorf School of Music, Drama and Dance. Deep in the idyllic Austrian countryside she finds an eccentrically magical world occupied by the wild children, experimental dancers, a tortoise on wheels and a mysterious young gardener named Marek. But outside this paradise, Hitler's Reich is casting its menacing shadow over Europe...

I loved this book completely. It was probably my favorite by Ibbotson, but I may take that back tomorrow. Either way, it was amazing like the rest of her books. History and fiction are deftly intertwined in this story. The characters are all loveable and interesting - each are unforgettable. READ THIS BOOK!

Reader reviewed by Mairi

Ellen is the daughter of one of three feminist sisters. As women with big plans for Ellen- university, government- these three are horrified when her only interests turn out to be cooking and housekeeping, leading her to take a job as a housemother in an Austrian boarding school. The school's headmaster, the part-time fencing teacher, Ellen, and the students themselves, get along beautifully.

I have read almost all of Eva Ibbotson's books. Her fantasy is good, but I fell in love with her historical fiction when I read Journey to the River Sea- which takes place in South America- in fifth grade and made it my favorite book. That changed as I grew older, but when I learned she had written books, supposedly good ones, for young adults, I decided I had to read one (hence this book.)

Though targeted toward girls, you don't have to be "girly" to enjoy this- despite the romance woven in it is mainly historical fiction of quality that most fans of the genre, or of Ibbotson, should enjoy.

Reader reviewed by Sara

"Ellen Carr is raised to be an intellectual - but what she really wants to do is cook beautiful food. So Ellen is thrilled to leaves behind the grey drizzle of London and start her first job - as a housekeeper at the Hallendorf School of Music, Drama, and Dance. Deep in the idyllic Austrian countryside she finds an eccentrically magical world occupied by wild children, experimental dancers, a tortoise on wheels and a mysterious young gardener called Marek. But outside this paradise, Hitler's Reich is casting its menacing shadow over Europe..."

I really enjoyed this book. Ellen was a good heroine and Marek a loveable lead man... despite both of their flaws. The setting was beautiful as were the children who attended Ellen's school.