My Mixed-Up Berry Blue Summer

Gennari, Jennifer. My Mised-Up Berry Blue Summer. Houghton Mifflin Books for Children Boston, 2012. 119 pages.  Tr. $15.99 ISBN 9780547577395

Plot Description:

Things have been difficult for June since her mother, MJ’s, girlfriend Eva, moved in with them and now that Vermont has passed a law allowing same sex couples to marry in a civil union ceremony, Eva and MJ are talking about getting married.  It has always just been June and her mother and they have gotten along just fine on their own.  MJ runs the Stillwater Marina Store, but since Eva moved in business has been slow.  “Take Back Vermont” signs have been popping up around town since the passage of the civil union law and when a note saying gay people shouldn’t be allowed to raise children is found on Eva’s windshield, MJ, afraid for June’s safety, forbids her from entering the pie competition at the fair.  Unbeknownst to MJ and Eva, June experiences a fair share of bullying for MJ’s sexual orientation; a friend’s older brother teases her for being a “lezzie” and a classmates mother organizes a boycott of businesses owned by gay people, including MJ’s store.  After being harassed at the library, by a group of adults promoting the boycott and the “Take Back Vermont” initiative, June decides she has to do something to help her mother’s store.  June decides to enter the pie contest without MJ’s knowledge, hoping to win and bring business back to the store. 

Review:

Gennari’s debut novel is a wonderful story about what it means to be brave and how families come in all shapes and sizes.  For most children accepting a step-parent can be a delicate and difficult situation and for most children it would be a private family matter.  June’s neighbors have no problem letting her know how they feel about MJ and Eva and whether they are suited to have a child.  It is no wonder June feels resentment toward Eva, before she moved in June and MJ’s lives were quiet and no one bothered them.  June may not care for how Eva’s presence is disrupting her life, but she still possesses extreme bravery for someone her age standing up for what is right and to bullies of all ages.  This is a wonderful book that conveys a message of tolerance and should be read by children and adults. 

Genre:

GLBTQ

Realistic Fiction

Reading Level/Interest Level:

Grades 4-7

Similar Books:

How I Survived Being a Girl by Wendelin Van Draanen

Awards/Honors:
ALA Rainbow List 2013

Author’s Website:

http://www.jengennari.com/