Summer Promise cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 4.8
Points 6.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 43697
Points per Word 0.000137
Page Count 161
Points per Page 0.037267

Description

A summer in California for Wisconsin farm girl Christy brings her a new image, a moral dilemma involving the local fast crowd, and an encounter with Christianity.

Quick Summary

Robin Jones Gunn's Summer Promise follows Christy, a Wisconsin farm girl who spends a summer in California, and it's the kind of story that sticks with you because it mixes a sunny beach backdrop with real heart. Readers who enjoy heartfelt YA about friendship, identity, and figuring out what you believe will find a lot to love, especially if they like the mix of lighthearted moments and deeper questions about faith. The book tackles a relatable teenage dilemma fitting in with the cool crowd while staying true to herself without getting preachy, so it feels more like a conversation than a sermon. Parents will appreciate that the story encourages honest self-reflection and shows how small choices can shape a person's character, while still keeping the tone upbeat enough for teens. If you've ever wished for a beachy coming-of-age story with a gentle Christian message, it's a solid pick, and fans of books like The Last Summer or other teen summer reads will likely feel right at home.