The Summer of Bitter and Sweet
Published on 4. July 2024
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-0-06-308617-3 (ISBN)
Description
In this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Metis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person-and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth. A William C. Morris Award Honor Book and a Stonewall Award Honor Book!
Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She'll be working in her family's ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend-whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort-and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.
But when she gets a letter from her biological father-a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life-Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists.
While King's friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family's business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can't ignore her father forever.
The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She'll be working in her family's ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend-whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort-and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word.
But when she gets a letter from her biological father-a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life-Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists.
While King's friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family's business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can't ignore her father forever.
The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
Reviews / Votes
"Debut author Ferguson, who is Metis and White, touches on intergenerational family suffering at the hands of the state, mental health, substance abuse, racism, sexual harassment and assault, and missing and murdered Indigenous women-all with nuance and care. Heart-rending and healing; a winning blend that will leave readers satisfied." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review)"In a layered first-person portrayal of a young Indigenous woman navigating the edge of adulthood, Ferguson (who is Metis and white) tackles necessary issues-of identity and sexuality alongside colonialism, generational trauma, racism, physical and sexual assault, and substance reliance-through well-wrought, complicated characterizations and prose that sings with poetry." - Publishers Weekly (starred review)
"Young adult readers can relate to the struggles Lou is facing as she navigates her transition from high school to college, and also use them as a conversation starter about race, identity, sexuality, dating, and friendship." - Horn Book (starred review)
"Like an unexpected tart note swirling through a creamy, cold treat, The Summer of Bitter and Sweet layers the harsh truths and deep connections that thread through a Canadian prairie town....In this heartfelt story, we come to see the complex lives beneath the wide-open landscape. " - Star Tribune
"Ferguson's frank and powerful debut opens readers' eyes to the multiplicity of daily traumas faced by people of color, especially Indigenous women and girls. Ferguson, herself Michif/Metis and white, boldly writes on many challenging topics, including racism, physical violence, sexual identity, sexual assault, and teen alcohol use. Lou is complex, smart, and honest, and a narrator readers will trust, love, and learn from as she works to repair friendships and gain security for her treasured family." - Booklist (starred review)
"Brutally honest about the sexual and physical violence Native women are subjected to, this story deals with a variety of painful topics and their impact on Louise's friends and family... The honesty and complexity of this book make it a gripping read." - School Library Journal (starred review)
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United States
Publishing group
HarperCollins Publishers Inc
Target group
Young adult
US School Grade: Eighth Grade and over, Interest Age: From 13 to 99 years
Dimensions
Height: 199 mm
Width: 134 mm
Thickness: 25 mm
Weight
298 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-06-308617-3 (9780063086173)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Person
Jen Ferguson is Michif/Metis and white, an activist, a feminist, an auntie, and an accomplice armed with a PhD. She believes writing, teaching and beading are political acts. She also has strong opinions about pastries and could essentially live off of pain au chocolat. Jen is a citizen of the Manitoba Metis Federation.