For the teen navigating complex friendships and self-discovery during a transformative summer away from home, this book explores change, belonging, and first loves.
A parent might reach for this book when their teen is navigating the painful drift of a once-inseparable friendship. It's for the child feeling left behind, confused by social changes, and trying to figure out who they are when their closest relationship shifts. Nantucket Summer follows Cricket, who takes a nannying job on the island, excited to reunite with her best friend, Jules. But Jules has been absorbed by a new, wealthy crowd, leaving Cricket to forge her own path. This story beautifully explores the complexities of evolving friendships, class differences, first love, and finding your own identity. It's an ideal read for teens aged 13-16, offering a relatable, sun-drenched story that validates the difficult feelings of growing up and growing apart, while providing a hopeful message about self-reliance.
There are scenes with teen characters drinking alcohol at parties.
Sad ThemesModerate
The core theme is the painful, slow end of a childhood friendship.
Sensitive Topics
The primary emotional conflict is the slow, painful dissolution of a core friendship, which is handled directly and realistically. Class differences and socioeconomic tension are central themes. There are scenes depicting underage drinking at parties, but it is not glorified. The resolution is hopeful but realistic: Cricket finds her own strength and new relationships, but her friendship with Jules is permanently altered, not magically restored. The approach is entirely secular.
Ideal Reader
A teen, aged 13 to 16, who is feeling the sting of a changing friendship. This reader may feel like their best friend is moving on without them, perhaps due to a new school or a new social group, and is struggling with feelings of loneliness and a shifting sense of self.
Parent Prep
A parent might want to be aware of the scenes involving teen parties and underage drinking. While not excessive, they are present. The book can be read cold, but being prepared to discuss the nuances of why friendships change and the reality that not all relationships last forever could be beneficial. The parent hears their teen say, "My best friend has new friends now and doesn't have time for me," or observes their child feeling excluded from a group they once belonged to. The trigger is witnessing the child's pain and confusion over a friendship that is fading.
Age Experience
A younger teen (12-13) will likely focus on the romantic subplot and the clear feeling of being left out. An older teen (14-16) will better appreciate the subtle exploration of class dynamics, the bittersweet realism of the friendship's evolution, and Cricket's internal journey toward independence and self-worth.
What Makes It Special
Unlike many friendship-breakup stories, this book uses the socioeconomic contrast of a wealthy resort island to amplify the protagonist's feelings of being an outsider. Cricket's identity as a nanny and employee grounds the story, forcing her to navigate responsibility alongside social drama. This adds a layer of maturity and realism often missing from similar contemporary YA novels.
Read plot summary
Seventeen-year-old Cricket is thrilled to spend the summer on Nantucket as a nanny, which will reunite her with her childhood best friend, Jules. However, she quickly discovers that Jules has changed, now part of a wealthy, exclusive clique that treats Cricket as an outsider. As Cricket navigates her demanding job and the painful distance from Jules, she forms a connection with Zack, a thoughtful local boy. The novel charts Cricket's journey of self-discovery as she grapples with loneliness, loyalty, class differences, and what it means to grow up and grow apart from someone you love.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Jules's behavior toward Cricket changes drastically. Do you think she was being a bad friend on purpose, or was she struggling with peer pressure from her new group? Can both be true?
2
Cricket works as a nanny for the summer. How did her job and her responsibilities affect her friendship with Jules and her romance with Zack?
3
At the end of the summer, Cricket and Jules don't go back to being best friends like before. Why do you think the author chose this more realistic ending instead of having them make up completely?
4
The story highlights the differences between the wealthy summer families and the year-round island residents. In what ways did this social divide make Cricket's summer more challenging?
