43 pages • 1 hour read
Eva BuntingSummer of Riley
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 2000A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more.
Before You Read
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.
Reviews & Readership
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 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.
176
Novel • Fiction
New York • 1990s
2000
Middle grade
8-12 years
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