For kids navigating complex friendships and first crushes, this story explores trusting your instincts when faced with tricky choices and peer influence.
A parent might reach for this book when their child is navigating the intense, confusing feelings of a first crush, especially one that feels a bit risky or forbidden. It's for the tween who is starting to value the opinions of their peers over their parents and needs to learn how to trust their own instincts. The story follows twelve-year-old Ellie, whose boring summer is upended by the arrival of Tommy, a charismatic but troubled older boy. As their friendship and flirtation deepen, Tommy’s behavior becomes more unsettling, forcing Ellie to confront the difference between exciting and dangerous. This book sensitively explores themes of peer pressure, honesty, and the difficult process of realizing someone you admire is not who they seem, making it an excellent conversation starter for kids aged 10 to 14.
Deals with the painful disillusionment of a first crush and the loss of innocence.
Romantic ContentMild
A powerful first crush is central to the plot, involving emotional intensity and some affection.
Sensitive Topics
The book deals directly with delinquency, including lying and theft by a sympathetic main character. The approach is secular and realistic, focusing on the emotional and moral consequences of these actions rather than any legal ones. The resolution is realistic and bittersweet: Ellie grows from the experience and strengthens her own moral compass, but the friendship is irreparably broken and Tommy's future remains uncertain. It’s a cautionary tale, but one grounded in empathy.
Ideal Reader
The ideal reader is an 11 to 13-year-old who is beginning to experience the intensity of peer relationships and first crushes. It is particularly well-suited for a thoughtful, perhaps impressionable, child who is learning to navigate social situations where something feels 'off' and they need to trust their gut over the charisma of a friend.
Parent Prep
Parents should be aware that the story involves theft from an elderly couple, which is a central plot point. It might be helpful to be prepared to discuss why Tommy's actions are wrong, the complexity of his character, and the difficulty of Ellie's situation. The book can be read cold, but its value is magnified by a post-reading conversation about the themes. A parent has noticed their child is captivated by a new, 'cool' friend who seems to be a bit of a rule-breaker. The parent is worried their child's judgment is being clouded by a desire to impress someone or by the intensity of a first crush, and they want to open a conversation about making good choices and being true to oneself.
Age Experience
A younger reader (10-11) will likely focus on the mystery aspect: Is Tommy a good guy or a bad guy? They will experience it as a story about friendship and a moral lesson. An older reader (12-14) will connect more deeply with the romantic angst and the nuanced internal conflict Ellie faces. They will better understand the pain of disillusionment and the bittersweet nature of a formative, but flawed, first love.
What Makes It Special
Among the many middle-grade books about first crushes, this one stands out for its quiet, literary exploration of the darker side of charisma and attraction. It avoids a simple 'bad boy' trope and instead provides a thoughtful, psychologically grounded look at how a good person can be drawn into morally ambiguous situations by a compelling personality. It's a coming-of-age novel disguised as a summer romance.
Read plot summary
Twelve-year-old Ellie Tremont's boring suburban summer is energized by the arrival of fourteen-year-old Tommy Bowers, a charismatic boy with a troubled reputation. He organizes a summer camp for neighborhood children under the porch of their elderly neighbors, the Watsons. Ellie is smitten and goes along with all of Tommy's plans, even when her instincts tell her something is off. His behavior escalates from charmingly rebellious to criminal when he gifts her a stolen diamond necklace. After her parents forbid her from seeing him, Ellie is torn between loyalty to Tommy and her own conscience, a conflict that comes to a head when Tommy commits a more serious crime, forcing Ellie to make a difficult and defining choice.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.
Discussion Prompts
1
Ellie feels suspicious when Tommy gives her the diamond necklace, but she accepts it anyway. Why do you think she ignored her gut feeling? Have you ever felt that something was wrong but went along with it?
2
Do you think Tommy is a 'bad kid,' or is he just someone who has had a hard life and makes bad choices? Does his past excuse his actions? Why or why not?
3
Ellie's parents forbid her from seeing Tommy. Do you think this was the right thing to do? How did their decision affect what Ellie did next?
4
At the end of the book, Ellie seems to have learned a lot about herself. What do you think is the most important lesson she learned over the summer about friendship and trust?
