Summer on the Moon

A move from an impoverished tenement to an unfinished suburban development turns thirteen-year-old Socko’s world inside out

It’s summer vacation, and Socko and his best friend Damien are hanging around the Kludge apartments, taking care to avoid the local gang members. When Socko’s great-grandfather suddenly offers to buy a house in the suburbs, Socko’s mom jumps at the chance to leave the bad neighborhood. Socko hates to leave Damien behind, but they pack up their few belongings and move to Moon Ridge Estates.
 
Nothing there is even remotely what Socko had imagined—Moon Ridge is a lonely wasteland of half-finished houses. Socko tries to make the best of a bad situation, hopping on his skateboard to explore the empty streets that are now his private domain.
 
Constructing new lives will involve taking some risks, but in time a ragtag community begins to rally around the struggling development. With humor and heart, Adrian Fogelin weaves a timely story of loyalty, family, community, and economic hardship.

“A winsome tale chock-full of strong-minded people providing mutual support and well-timed nudges in good directions.” ?Booklist, starred review

“The third-person narration is tightly focused through Socko’s perspective, adopting a gentle colloquial voice that complements the natural dialogue. Steeped in violence (more implied than graphic) and poverty, but focused on love and hope.” ?Kirkus Reviews

“I love Summer on the Moon (Peachtree) by Adrian Fogelin.” ?Susan Marston, editorial director of Junior Library Guild

“While it has good female characters, Summer on the Moon is a perfect summer read for boys age 10 and older.” ?The Washington Post

Adrian Fogelin is the author of several novels for middle readers and young adults, including Crossing Jordan and The Real Question. She lives in Florida.