About This Book
Something Like Summer is a poignant Young Adult novel that traces the life of Ben Bentley from age 17 through his late twenties, exploring his complex romantic relationships with Tim Wyman and Jace Holden. The story delves deeply into themes of coming out, self-acceptance, navigating first love, and coping with profound loss and grief. It also touches on issues like addiction and the challenges of maintaining honesty and integrity in relationships. Parents should be aware that the original edition contains explicit sexual content, though a 'school friendly' version exists with these descriptions removed. It's a powerful narrative about finding one's identity and enduring love.
A love story spanning a decade and beyond as two boys discover what it means to be friends, lovers, and sometimes even enemies.
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Substance References
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Character Death
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bullying
Discussion Prompts
1
How do Ben and Tim's journeys of self-acceptance differ, and what challenges do they each face?
2
The book explores different kinds of love. How would you describe Ben's relationship with Tim versus his relationship with Jace?
3
How does Allison serve as a 'voice of conscience' in the story, and what role does friendship play in Ben's life?
4
The story spans a decade. How do the characters change and grow over time, and what lessons do they learn?
5
What impact does grief have on Ben, and how does he find a path towards healing and new beginnings?
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