SUMMER ON THE MOON - Adrian Fogelin

I'll be right up front and admit that I was seriously disappointed that this wasn't a sci-fi/fantasy YA books.  Summer on the Moon, and there's a huge moon right there on the cover.  I thought we were going to get a youngster's story being bored and alone on the moon.  I was so sure of it, that I was a quarter of the way through, wondering when they were going to go to the moon, before I realized that Moon Ridge Estates was a standard, rural community.  

Thirteen year old Socko is hanging around with his best friend Damien during their summer vacation. They look for ways to entertain themselves while avoiding the local, neighborhood gang.  Socko's grandfather announces to Socko and his mom, that he's decided to buy a house in a new, suburban development. Socko's mom is excited, but Socko doesn't look forward to leaving his best friend behind.

The development, Moon Ridge Estates, is nothing like Socko had imagined.  The development failed before it ever got going and now it's a ghost-town of unfished houses (no wonder his grandfather got a 'deal' for the house). To make matters worse, the gangs still troll this wasteland and the local security company think Socko's up to no good. Then Livvy Holmes moves in across the street. Can Socko make friends with a girl?

As mentioned, this took me awhile to accept that this wasn't going to be a story "on the moon" but once that was clear to me I was able to enjoy this story. I felt that we had a really solid look at a family that lives closer to poverty than the middle class life style of so many characters.  I think a lot of school-aged readers would be able to identify with Socko (short for Socrates) and the near loneliness of his summer freedom.

The appearances of Livvy was really nicely handled and the slow build of trust between Livvy and Socko was sweet and honest.

The story moved slowly through 90% of the book, which matched the loneliness that Socko was feeling through the summer, then we're suddenly hit with action sequence after action sequence which did not feel as 'real' as the rest of the book.  A very real story about a couple of youngsters forming a friendship and exploring their new homes suddenly became an (unrealistic) action/adventure story.

Looking for a good book? Adrian Fogelin's Summer on the Moon does NOT take place on the moon, but 90% of the book is a solid coming-of-age story for a couple of young teens and then 10% of danger/action/adventure story to finish it off.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

3-1/2 stars

* * * * * *

Summer on the Moon

author: Adrian Fogelin

publisher: Peachtree Publishers

ISBN: 9781561456260

hardcover, 234 pages

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