Review: Manatee Summer

By Evan Griffith

New York: Quill Tree Books, 2022. Fiction.

It's the summer before middle school, and 11-year-old Peter plans to spend his entire summer completing the "Discovery Journal" he keeps with his best friend Tommy. The journal is filled with drawings and copious notes about the wildlife they discover in their Central Florida neighborhood. When Discovery No. 95, a manatee the boys name Zoe, turns up critically injured, Peter is galvanized to advocate for animal rights and his summer of activism begins. Meanwhile, he is faced with the upsetting news that Tommy, his best and only friend, is moving to Michigan. If that weren't enough, Peter also must balance his time helping manatees with his role as caretaker for his grandfather with Alzheimer's, keeping an eye on him while his single mother works.

This is a sun-soaked novel perfect for readers who love animals and their planet. Peter's role in Zoe's rescue feels believable, even for his young age, and will inspire many like minded kids to look for ways to take action in their own lives. This story is reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite novels for kids -- Carl Hiassen's Hoot, but is updated for a modern age. The friendship between Peter and Tommy is an especially sweet part of this book, both boys are thoughtful and sensitive and their friendship is all the better because of it. Though a little heart wrenching at parts, this is a book well-sited for readers who enjoy ocean settings and friendship.

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