Summer of the Wolves (Sisters In All Seasons)

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Summer of the Wolves (Sisters In All Seasons)

Author(s)

Lisa Williams Kline

Publisher

Zonderkidz

Genre(s)

Contemporary

Age Range

10+

Release Date

April 23, 2012

ISBN

978-0310726135

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Stepsisters, yes. Friends? Maybe ...

'I smelled the wolf now---sharp and musky. I scanned the pen and saw a shadow behind one of the bushes that might be another wolf. Probably two of the most miserable looking creatures I'd ever seen.' --from Summer of the Wolves

Stephanie and Diana are having a hard time adjusting to life as new stepsisters.andnbsp; The girls 'pretend' to like each other, but it's pretty hard considering they are complete opposites.andnbsp; When their new family takes their first-ever vacation to a horse ranch in North Carolina, not even long horse-back rides in the forest can tame their tempers. Diana's anger issues and Stephanie's fear of everything prove disastrous, until Diana discovers the caged wolves in the deep woods. She vows to free them, and surprisingly, Stephanie agrees to help. But their actions have unforeseen consequences, and if there's any chance to make things right, Stephanie and Diana must put their differences aside.

Stepsisters, yes. Friends? Maybe ...

Editor reviews

4 reviews

Overall rating

4.0

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4.0(2)

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4.0(2)

Blending families

May 08, 2012

Overall rating

4.0

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In SUMMER OF THE WOLVES, two girls (Diana and Stephanie), who have just recently become step-sisters, set off for a family vacation at a ranch. They barely know each other, and are very different. One is outdoorsy, the other less so. One is interested in boys, the other, not so much. Yet they both harbor fears about the continuing affection their divorced parents; they both long for, and yet resist, connection. In the end, they come together to rescue two trapped wolves (misguidedly, as it turns out), and they stay together to deal with the consequences.

The most striking thing about this book is that the first-person narration alternates, chapter by chapter, between the step-sisters. This was also what I liked best about it. The basic plot is interesting enough, and I especially enjoyed reading about Diana’s growing connection to Copper, a young (and somewhat unpredictable) horse at the ranch. Yet what was most profoundly enjoyable was to be able to experience this world through the eyes of both girls, to understand them both, and to root for them as they learn to understand each other.

To experience this story from the perspective of only one of the two would be painfully limiting. Really, one of the main points of the story is that we must all learn to see things from another point of view if we truly wish to be connected. To see inside another’s head is one of the great gifts of any story. This story offers two gifts, and I suggest you accept them eagerly.

Good Points

Two first-person narrators
Horses!

Francesca Amendolia Top 100 Reviewer 66 reviews

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Inspirational story of two step-sisters

April 23, 2012

Overall rating

4.0

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Diana and Stephanie are step sisters. Their parents recently married and now they are forced to figure out how to be friends. When their parents decide to take a family vacation, Diana is thrilled with the choice. After all, they're going to visit a ranch and Diana loves horses! Stephanie on the other hand isn't so sure about the trip.

This book is told from two POV's, Diana's and Stephanie's. Diana has a bit of an attitude and tends to get along better with animals than she does with people. Stephanie is a people pleaser and is well liked by pretty much everyone around her. The two clash quite a bit, but they also learn how to be friends as well as step sisters.

I found this story to be very heartwarming. While Diana tends to be selfish, she is able to learn from Stephanie how to put others first. And Stephanie is a bit scared to try new things, but learns from Diana to be a bit more adventurous. I loved the bond that the two girls share and how they grow to be friends and actually want to be around each other. The story was easy to read and follow while also kept me very interested in what was happening. There is the heartwarming side, but there is also a bit of a scandal and some heart thumping moments!

I think this story is great for younger girls. It helps them to realize that we need to give others a chance, even if they are hard to get along with (as is the case with Diana). And I think it's a great book to read if you are learning how to be a family when a parent remarries after a divorce. What a great series for young girls!