Introduction
Donna Galanti takes her middle school audience on a coming-of-age adventure in her new book Loon Cove Summer (Wild Trail Press, 2025). This book also has the neat distinction of taking place on a loon lake and chapter headings contain cool facts about this special bird.
Review
Thirteen-year-old Sarah Richardson runs a lakeside campground with her family. The campground is famous for the loon population that nests on its shores. One summer Sarah discovers that her beloved loons are mysteriously disappearing. Without the loon attraction, her family’s business is in jeopardy, and they may have to pull up stakes and move. On top of that, Sarah grieves the recent loss of her mom from cancer and her absent father who must work far away to pay the bills. When a new friend moves to the campground for the summer and offers to help her uncover the loon mystery, Sarah jumps at the chance to save her campground and have a normal life again. When family dynamics begin to shift in sweet and unexpected ways, Sarah bucks at this new normal and must learn to accept and thrive with the sweeping course of change. Can she save the loons and the campground but also grow up and embrace different life chapters?
One of the lessons in Loon Cove Summer is accepting change and finding the rainbow in life’s storms. Throughout the book, Sarah’s resistance to change is very lifelike. I am not going to describe her resistance by using quotes from the book as the scenes are too extensive to quote adequately. Instead, here are some instances where Sarah’s resistance is most evident and one drastic measure that may finally break the wall that Sarah has around herself.
In the beginning of the story, Sarah holds tightly to her mom’s memory (sleeping with her mom’s scarves at night, talking to her ashes on the mantle fireplace) and reads her mom’s journals as a form of escape. Then, the family dynamics begin to shift. Sarah makes it her mission to save the family campground by saving loons, advertising all over town, and using the Internet to drum up camper business. Ties with family and friends seem to be dissolving quickly at the expense of saving the campground and preserving her mom’s memory.
One day, Sarah makes a foolhardy decision to honor her mom by completing a dangerous hike without the knowledge of her family and friends. Is risking life and limb worth it as Sarah stubbornly clings to her version of reality? Or does accepting life’s change with the help of family and friends offer a better path forward? Sarah might have to be decide between saying goodbye to the campground or making room in her heart for new family members.
The book’s last pages reveal Sarah’s life-changing choice.
Watch the trailer here.
Giveaway
I am giving away a copy of Loon Cove to one reader of my blog. Please leave a comment by October 29 for a chance to win it. U.S. addresses only. And make sure you check out Greg Pattridge’s awesome Marvelous Middle Grade blog which showcases fine middle grade books.
Guest Reviewer
Kate Lundeen is a frequent contributor to my blog. She last shared her thoughts about The Trail. She writes, “The Lord’s hand of watchful care and protection blessed my life from my start as a tiny premature infant. Doctors diagnosed me with cerebral palsy from birth complications which mainly affected my legs and motor skills. I also have a learning disability that does not allow me to write down or process thoughts as fast as other people. I am a former homeschooler and obtained an Associate in Arts degree from a North Carolina community college after five years of hard work! I discovered and developed a love for writing in college. Now I pen articles for my local church newsletter and write book reviews. I enjoy my current job as a part-time library assistant in a Christian library in Matthews, NC. I have a servant’s heart and a willing attitude to grow in old skills and develop new ones along whatever path the Lord chooses to take me.”
This story looks like a gem! I just love the different levels of suspense in this novel. What really hooked me was the intrigue of her mother’s journal and the Appalachian Trail. I am also writing a story based on a historical journal. This mix of fiction and nonfiction, with a strong emotional base, sings like a winner to me! This story would also appeal to my teenage daughter. She is a tough one to crack in the reading world. Congratulations on your book’s publication and thanks, Carol, for sharing so many wonderful stories:)
Thank you, Sharon. Your name starts the list.
This sounds like an emotional read and a novel that deals with tough topics. The mystery of the disappearing loons is one I need to find out why. Sarah sounds like a character I would like to have as a friend.
Thanks, Danielle. I agree!!
Sounds like a book I need to read. Thanks for sharing about it, Kate and Carol!
Thank you, Kim. You’re on the list too!
Thank you so much, Kate, for reading and reviewing Loon Cove Summer! I’m so glad it touched you. And thank you Carole for hosting. Love the giveaway, too!
You are welcome, Donna!
This sounds like my very favorite kind of MG books—outwardly quiet but emotionally LOUD.
That’s an outstanding way to put it, Jenny!
I really want to read Loon Cove. I don’t like change either so I can relate to Sarah already. Thanks for the chance to win it.
One of my favorite books by Donna Galanti. The characters and story won me over. I’ll pass on the giveaway to let someone new to the book win a copy. Happy MMGM!
Sounds like a fun read, and I do like the Loon twist as well as the hiking mishap directions. Will keep my eyes open for this one.
Thank you, Tonja!
Thanks for weighing in, Greg.
My dad was a wildlife biologist who worked on projects to protect endangered species. I suspect I would enjoy this book a lot.
Happy to add your name, Pete!
Love the sound of this book. I’m a fan of books with animals, and the loon facts are an interesting addition.
Thanks for the comment, Nicole. I’ll add your name to the list.
This sounds an emotional and gripping story. I really liked the Unicorn Island books too so I will definitely watch out for this one! Thanks for the great review!
Thank you Valinora!
Lovely review. I have this on my TBR list and am looking forward to reading it. Thanks for the chance and for the post.
You had me at loons and camping! Sounds like a winning combination, and I can’t wait to read it!
Thank you, Sue. You’re in!
Thanks, Rosi. Your name is in the hat!