Shadowed Summer

Reader reviewed by cynthial11

I've known about this book for a while, I've heard several great things about it but kept putting it off, which was a big mistake! I truly loved the story. The main character Iris and her best friend believe they can do spells. Well one day when they go to the cemetery to try to reach the dead they actually get a response, at least Iris does. From then on she is being haunted by the ghost of a young man that disappeared from her small town many years ago. Nobody knows what happened to him or wants to talk about it.

I loved that the book kept bringing up even more questions in my mind with each secret that Iris and her friends uncovered. Saundra does an amazing job with this ghost story in this really small southern town that I got goosebumps while reading it at times. I really enjoyed the southern accent that she gave her characters it was really fun to read because that's the way that I talk sometimes, and I haven't come accross many books that have that in them. It is a very well written book that I had no trouble at all connecting to the characters and picturing the small Louisiana town in my mind. The ending will surprise you and you'll never see it coming. I will definitely be reading this one again!

Reader reviewed by Lexie

Anyone who has grown up in a small town will understand the
frustrations and limitations that Iris and her friend Collette feel.
For a teen its not fun to see the same people do the same things day
after day. And a graveyard is a strong temptation (one that I found
irresistible at their age and in their situation). I could, despite
being a decade older then either Iris or Collette, easily identify with
them. Mitchell writes their reactions believably and with honesty--who
hasnt gotten tired of their friend who is constantly flirting and
dragging you into their busy couples life only to make you feel like
an outsider? Or anxiety that what you had with that friend is
disappearing as you grow older and have less in common?

Mitchells
history with screenwriting is especially apparent in her attention to
detail with the characters responses and the surroundings. The use of
Where yat?, a common local phrase from New Orleans (according to my
handy dandy slang dictionary) is perhaps the most chilling part of the
book for me. Each time Iris would hear it, I just got a chill down my
spine and goose bumps on my arms.

An important motivating factor
for the book is the friendship between Iris and Collette and how
turning fourteen changed things for them. Collette was on the verge of
wanting to be treated like a young woman--she wanted to primp and preen
herself on the off chance a cute boy would happen by. Iris was content
to keep things as they were--making up magical stories, talking to
spirits and throwing stones at the boys. As the two of them dig deeper
into Elijah Landrys disappearance--with the help from Ben, Collettes
new boyfriend--theyre both forced to confront the truth of their
friendship and its future.

Shadowed Summer
is sure to keep your attention from start to finish and keep you
guessing as to what really happened to Elijah. In fact the resolution
to the mystery forces a series of events that changes Iris perception
of not only herself, but also of her town.

((reprinted with author's permission))