BOOK BRIEF

That Summer

Sarah Dessen
Guide cover placeholder

That Summer

Fiction | Novel | Published in 2006

Book Brief

Sparkles iconBeta
Sarah Dessen

That Summer

Fiction | Novel | Published in 2006
Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Lakeview • 1990s

Publication Year

2006

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

1020L

Roundup icon

Super Short Summary

That Summer by Sarah Dessen follows fifteen-year-old Haven as she navigates the challenges of adolescence and family changes during one transformative summer. She reflects on her past, her sister's wedding, and encounters an old friend, learning to cope with change and finding her own identity.

Reviews & Readership

3.8

58,293 ratings

47%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

18%

Not a fan

Roundup icon

Review Roundup

Sarah Dessen’s That Summer explores themes of change and self-discovery through the eyes of a teenage protagonist. Critics praise Dessen's relatable characters and evocative prose. However, some find the plot predictable and the pacing slow. Despite this, the novel's emotional depth and authenticity resonate well with young adult readers.

Who should read this

Who Should Read That Summer?

A reader who would enjoy That Summer by Sarah Dessen is typically a young adult or teenager who appreciates contemporary fiction that explores themes of family dynamics, adolescence, and personal growth. Think fans of Laurie Halse Anderson's Speak or Ann Brashares' The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.

3.8

58,293 ratings

47%

Loved it

34%

Mixed feelings

18%

Not a fan

Book Details
Pages

208

Format

Novel • Fiction

Setting

Lakeview • 1990s

Publication Year

2006

Recommended Reading Age

12-18 years

Lexile Level

1020L

Buy This Book

We’re just getting started

Add this title to our list of requested Study Guides!