Seventeenth Summer
Seventeenth Summer
Book Brief
384
Novel • Fiction
•
Historical Fiction•
RomanceFond du Lac, Wisconsin • 1940s
1942
YA
14-18 years
1050L
Super Short Summary
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly is a young-adult novel set in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, following seventeen-year-old Angeline "Angie" Morrow during a transformative summer. Angie's first romance blossoms with Jack Duluth, a popular basketball player, but as summer ends, they must part ways to pursue college and family obligations. The novel explores themes of first love, coming of age, and social expectations. The book includes depictions of teenagers engaging in underage drinking and smoking.
Romantic
Nostalgic
Emotional
Contemplative
Bittersweet
Reviews & Readership
5,378 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Review Roundup
Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly offers a nostalgic look at adolescent love, capturing the innocence and intensity of first romance with lyrical prose. Readers appreciate its authentic portrayal of teenage emotions and small-town life. However, some critics find the pacing slow and the plot simplistic for modern tastes. Overall, it's cherished for its historical context and emotional depth.
Who Should Read Seventeenth Summer?
A reader who would enjoy Seventeenth Summer by Maureen Daly likely appreciates tender coming-of-age stories with a focus on first love and self-discovery. Fans of The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger or To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee may find this novel equally engaging.
5,378 ratings
Loved it
Mixed feelings
Not a fan
Seventeenth Summer was first published in 1942, making it one of the earliest examples of a young adult novel, even predating the identification of the young adult category in books.
Maureen Daly was only 19 years old when she wrote Seventeenth Summer, inspired by a summer romance from her own life.
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The novel was so popular and enduring that it has never been out of print since its original publication.
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384
Novel • Fiction
•
Historical Fiction•
RomanceFond du Lac, Wisconsin • 1940s
1942
YA
14-18 years
1050L
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