Secrets of a Summer Spy - Hardcover

Jones, Janice

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0027478610 ISBN 13: 9780027478617

Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 1990

Synopsis

Feeling forsaken by her once inseparable friends, Amy Parrish and Jimmy Jackman, Ronnie Winslow finds unexpected companionship with her eccentric and mysterious neighbor, eighty-three-year-old Fern Peet

About this title

From School Library Journal:

Grade 5-7-- A refreshing coming-of-age story that offers a good mix of summer fun, excitement, and problems. Veronica Windslow and Jimmy Jackman live on Harbor Island year-round, and Ronnie always looks forward to summer, when their friend Amy Parrish arrives. But this summer Amy has changed--suddenly she is more concerned with tanning than fishing, has become obsessed with her appearance, and often would rather be alone with Jimmy, whom she thinks of as her boyfriend. Hurt and disgusted, Ronnie finds a new friend in the least likely person on the island--the local eccentric who keeps a band of half-wild cats and who has an uncanny knack for appearing mysteriously out of nowhere. Through their friendship, Ronnie discovers new talents and strengths of her own. Readers will empathize with Ronnie's pain and confusion as she tries to cope with the new relationships being formed. Characters are well drawn, particularly lonely old Mrs. Peet, whose son is trying to put her in a retirement home. An entertaining book about friendships with peers as well as with the elderly, growing up, and old-fashioned summers. --Jeanette Larson, Mesquite Public Library, TX
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Publishers Weekly:

Ronnie, 13, and Jimmy, 14, live on Harbor Island year-round, but they always anticipate the summertime visits from their friend Amy and her family. This summer, however, Amy--who is Ronnie's age--is different: she is vain, self-centered and constantly flirting with Jimmy. Ronnie is confused and lonely, and finds herself spending more and more time with old Mrs. Peet, a widow who lives with her family of cats. Though the "Clamdiggers"--as the friends call themselves--spend the summer fishing, waterskiing and spying on neighbors, just as they did when they were younger, Ronnie realizes that they are all growing and changing. When Mrs. Peet dies, Ronnie understands that nothing lasts forever, but that she can still hold on to precious memories. Jones's first novel begins credibly, but becomes bogged down in a contrived plot with one-dimensional characters. Still, Ronnie is a likable protagonist, and readers may enjoy sharing in the events of her summer. Ages 10-14.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.

About this edition

• Publisher: Simon & Schuster
• Publication date: 1990
• ISBN 10: 0027478610
• ISBN 13: 9780027478617
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 175