Summer of the Gypsy Moths; Sara Pennypacker

 

Title: Summer of the Gypsy Moths

Author:  Sara Pennypacker

Publication Year: 2012

Publisher: Balzer and Bray

Edition: trade softcover

Source: Amazon Vine
Setting:  Cape Cod - Massachusetts
Ages: 8+
Date Completed: 6/2012 
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: yes

In Summer of the Gypsy Moths, eleven year old Stella has not had an easy life thus far.  She has moved from place to place and is use to her flaky mother taking off on her from time to time.  This summer she hopes to forget about the past and enjoy a nice summer in Cape Cod visiting her great-aunt Louise.  Louise is the caretaker for "Linger Longer Cottages" there.

 

Just when she thought the summer would be perfect, she realizes once again that things don't always turn out as planned.  Louise's foster child, Angel who is twelve years old and Stella, couldn't be more different, but when something happens to aunt Louise that no one could have anticipated, the girls must join forces and come up with a plan to deal with the situation, so that they won't be forced back into the foster care system, and deal with another move.  Their teamwork results in a cleaver (albeit unrealistic) plan on how to survive on their own -- at least for a while, but in the end they also learn the meaning of friendship and home. To say any more will spoil the story for other readers.

 

Summer of the Gypsy Moths was a fun story for ages 8 and up. It's a story that will hold your young girl's interest. The cover art is adorable, and the story although far-fetched had me quickly turning the pages.  The author, Sara Pennypacker is also the author of the popular Clementine series.