The Summer Invitation
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- $16.99
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
When Franny and her older sister, Valentine, are summoned by their aunt Theodora from foggy San Francisco to sunny New York City for one summer, they are taken to timeless locales like Bemelmans Bar and the Sherry-Netherland and instructed on how to be a lady by their chaperone, Clover, Aunt Theodora's protégé. Franny is thrilled by all of the sophisticated outings, but Valentine has more pressing concerns. Boys! As they wander around New York City going lingerie shopping and learning about the simple elegance of a cucumber sandwich, they unearth secrets about Aunt Theo's romantic past and even have a few romantic adventures of their own, in Charlotte Silver's The Summer Invitation.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
A summer of adventure awaits 14-year-old Franny and her older sister, Valentine, when their mother's mysterious friend Aunt Theo invites them to visit New York City under care of a chaperone. An aura of old-fashioned mystique pervades the story, as the girls follow dated rules ("Theo doesn't like trousers"), meet Theo's old suitors at renowned hotels like the Carlyle, and visit places that have "been around for, like, ever and ever," in the words of Valentine, who chafes under the restrictions. Following Theo's admonition to "take notes," introspective Franny keeps a journal, while longing to meet the mysterious benefactor whose influence has touched so many. Franny's fresh, empathic voice conveys both eagerness for adventure and anticipation of loss, as she sees Valentine preparing to launch into a new stage in life, recognizes their different natures, and understands herself as a "true Romantic knows that the inner life is... the only thing that really matters." Silver (Charlotte au Chocolat) excels at creating atmospheric nostalgia in her stylish first book for teens, capturing a transformative moment in time. Ages 12 up.
