
Reach for this book when your child starts feeling the prickly heat of jealousy or the fear that their best friend is moving on to bigger, faster, or more sophisticated things. Set in the lush, rainy landscape of 1970s Florida, the story follows eleven-year-old Violet as she navigates the arrival of Melissa, a confident newcomer from Detroit who threatens the comfortable rhythm of Violet's lifelong friendships. It is a deeply relatable exploration of the transition from childhood to the early stages of adolescence, focusing on the anxiety that comes when social circles shift. Parents will appreciate the way it validates the difficult feelings of being 'left behind' while gently showing that growing up does not mean losing one's true self. It is a perfect choice for middle-grade readers who are experiencing their first real friendship growing pains.
Your experience helps other parents find the right book.
Sign in to write a reviewExplores the painful feelings of jealousy and social exclusion.
The book deals with the social hierarchies of middle school and the fear of abandonment in friendships. The approach is direct and realistic. There are mild references to the physical changes of puberty, handled in a secular and age-appropriate manner. The resolution is hopeful and grounded.
An eleven-year-old girl who is resisting the 'teenager' trends her peers are embracing, or a child who feels replaced by a new addition to their friend group.
Read cold. The 1970s setting is charming and accessible, though parents might want to discuss how social dynamics have remained the same even as technology has changed. A parent might notice their child becoming territorial over a best friend or expressing disdain for peers who are suddenly interested in 'older' activities like makeup or dating.
Younger readers (8-9) will focus on the 'mean girl' aspect and the scary lightning scenes. Older readers (11-12) will deeply resonate with the internal struggle of wanting to stay a child while everyone else is racing toward adulthood.
The atmospheric Florida setting and the metaphor of the lightning strikes provide a unique, visceral backdrop for a classic coming-of-age friendship story.
In a small Florida town during the 1970s, Violet Raines is content with her best friend Eddie and their simple summer routines. Her world is disrupted by Melissa, a sophisticated girl from Detroit who wears makeup and knows about the world beyond their sleepy town. As Melissa charms Violet's friends, Violet struggles with intense jealousy and the fear that her childhood is slipping away. After a series of social conflicts and a literal brush with lightning, Violet learns to navigate change without sacrificing her identity.
This overview was generated by AI based on the book's content and reviews, and may not capture every nuance.