The Not Impossible Summer

Lynn Manuel, a writer of mystery novels for young adults, is the author
of Return to Cranberry Farm.

Jenny and her mother spend their summer vacation on an island off
British Columbia. But Mum is always busy working on her articles. Jenny
escapes a world where she can’t read very well, or do much of anything
very well, by entering a fantasy world where she is Debra. Debra is
smart and brave and wonderful. Debra finds things hard but not
impossible, and she is always rewarded for her deeds with cheesecake.
But when Jenny helps the elderly Lucy learn to read and rescues the
missing Patrick, she realizes it is Jenny, not Debra, who is doing these
wonderful things.

The transition from the real world of Jenny to the fantasy world of
Debra is handled with remarkable skill. The author’s gentle humor is
never condescending, and the characters remain very real and believable.
The reader never stops caring about Jenny as she comes to realize her
own untapped sources of courage and ingenuity.

Intermediate students should enjoy this charming, beautifully written
book.