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43 pages 1 hour read

Summer of Riley

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2000

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Book Brief

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Eva Bunting

Summer of Riley

Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2000
Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York • 1990s

Topic
Publication Year

2000

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

540L

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Super Short Summary

In Summer of Riley by Eve Bunting, 11-year-old William Halston adopts a Labrador Retriever named Riley to help him cope with the recent loss of his grandfather. When Riley accidentally injures a neighbor's horse, a local law mandates Riley to be euthanized. William embarks on a determined quest to save his dog, learning valuable lessons about empathy and resilience along the way. This book deals with discussions of animal euthanasia.

Emotional

Heartwarming

Contemplative

Reviews & Readership

4.1

980 ratings

65%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

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Review Roundup

Summer of Riley by Eva Bunting is praised for its emotional depth, engaging storytelling, and relatable characters. Reviewers appreciate its exploration of complex themes like friendship, loss, and animal rights. However, some find the plot predictable and the resolution too simplistic. Overall, it remains a touching read for middle-grade audiences.

Who should read this

Who Should Read Summer of Riley?

Fans of Eva Bunting's Summer of Riley likely relish emotional, animal-centered stories similar to Kate DiCamillo's Because of Winn-Dixie and Wilson Rawls' Where the Red Fern Grows. Readers who appreciate heartfelt narratives about the bond between children and their pets will be deeply moved by this touching, morally complex tale.

4.1

980 ratings

65%

Loved it

25%

Mixed feelings

9%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

176

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

New York • 1990s

Topic
Publication Year

2000

Audience

Middle grade

Recommended Reading Age

8-12 years

Lexile Level

540L

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