Tuesday 16 June 2015

Welcome To Dog Beach by Lisa Greenwald (Children's, 9 years +, 9/10E, short 'n' sweet review)

Woof!
April 2014, Amulet Books, 272 pages/6 hours, Audiobook, Personal copy 

Content: tween angst, grief for pets, 

Summary from Abrams and Chronicle
Twelve year old Remy loves SeaGate, the island where her grandmother had a house and where her family spends every summer vacation. But this year's different. Her grandmother passed away and so did her grandmother's dog, Danish, who Remy felt a special connection to. The usual SeaGate traditions don't feel the same -- and neither does her relationship with her two best friends, Mabel and Bennett. Mabel's family is moving to SeaGate year-round and she's spending more time with year-round kids. Bennett's doing "boy stuff" with new kid Calvin and his snobby sister Claire. Remy takes comfort in the company of the Dog Beach -- which is where she hatches her plan to bring her friends closer and recapture the SeaGate magic.

Nayu's thoughts
I'd bought this as a personal listen, as it sounded (& is) a sweet middle grade read, full of frustration and confusion as Remy has to cope with her friends' changing personalities as they grow up one summer on an idyllic island. It was a bit heartbreaking to see her grieve over the loss of her dog, but seeing her help take care of other dogs opens up her heart to the huge surprise at the end which makes sense and has me eager to read book 2!

Occasionally Remy's friends annoyed me and were insensitive, but I am viewing it from an older viewpoint where I already know that friendships can and do change over time. There are some laughs and oops moments when Remy takes on too much or doesn't gather enough information, making it an easy listen/read, depending on the format you pick! 

Find out more on Lisa's website

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