That Summer cover

Reading Metrics

Grade Level Upper Grades (UG 9-12)
Book Level 5.8
Points 8.0
Fiction/Nonfiction Fiction
Word Count 51541
Points per Word 0.000155
Page Count 208
Points per Page 0.038462

Description

During the summer of her divorced father's remarriage and her sister's wedding, fifteen-year-old Haven comes into her own by letting go of the myths of the past.

Quick Summary

Haven's summer becomes a turning point when her dad's remarriage and her sister's wedding force her to confront the myths she's built around her family, and as she helps with the wedding, hangs out at a lake house, and navigates a new friendship, the story feels like a gentle, honest look at how teenagers sort out who they really are amidst all that change. It's a perfect pick for teens who like realistic, character-driven stories, especially those who have ever felt stuck between childhood memories and adult responsibilities. The tone is warm and a little funny, with moments that will make you laugh out loud, but it also dips into some pretty real feelings about loss and acceptance, so parents might want to know there's a bit of emotional depth and a few scenes that could hit close to home. If you enjoyed Sarah Dessen's other summer-set novels like *The Truth About Forever*, you'll find this one just as comforting and satisfying. With an AR level of 5.8 and 8 points, it's accessible enough for strong readers in upper grades but still rich enough to keep more advanced teens interested.