Summer on Fire

A Summer on Fire Island

---

In short, I'll just tell you the characterization is excellent. In I would have been one year old. Thanks to an aunt with a love of 80's video weekends, memories of my early school days from the late 's and a general interest and appreciation for how things can change drastically over a short period of time, though, I feel I was able to find a deep satisfaction with Craig's attention to detail in depicting the world his characters inhabited.

From the music they listened to, to the freedom the kids had to run around aside from the fear when there might be a killer on the lose to the actual word choices Everything reflected that, despite the fact that the story took place less then 30 years ago, this very much felt like a very different time and place. The history and its effect on world building, character choices and behavior, family dynamics, etc.

This book was absolutely fantastic. I can already see that this will be making the round among family and friends. It tells a great story and for many that I know, it will likely evoke memories of a different time because of the wonderful attention to detail. I'm very glad to have had the chance to read this. I would highly recommend this book. It's not an extremely long story, but it has a very interesting, well paced tale to tell.

I am confident you won't be disappointed. Nov 03, G. MA rated it it was amazing. Lying is a slippery slope. Once you take a step and start downward, it's hard to stop yourself, regain your footing and find a way back to normalcy. This is what Zach Carson, Jeff Barsell and Arnie Wilson must face as three friends who just want school to end and summer to begin, if only it were that easy.

Summer on Fire is a slow burn, a story that takes the time to develop character, to flesh out three very unique personalities in the trio of friends, and the secrets and lies they agree to bury Lying is a slippery slope.

Summer on Fire is a slow burn, a story that takes the time to develop character, to flesh out three very unique personalities in the trio of friends, and the secrets and lies they agree to bury in the ashes of the fire they start in the old dry Henderson barn on the edge of town.

They're doing what boys do, they go off and explore, they find somewhere to go and hide, and "hang out. Halverton, self-proclaimed town eccentric. When the town realizes the barn is burned down, another apparent crime is uncovered.

See a Problem?

A dead body is found. Suddenly, the looming consequence is too big for the three boys, so they make a pact not to tell, and this secret tests the boundaries of all of their friendships. You'll be glad you read this book. I highly recommend it! Jul 29, Melissa rated it it was amazing. First, they accidentally set fire to an old barn that they used as one of their hangouts. Then, they discover that the house on the same property was also destroyed—with the owner, Mr.

Fearing that they were responsible for Mr. I loved the protagonists in this novel. You can easily see how the conflict and weight of their situation starts to take a toll on their friendship. Quite frankly, I think they held it together a lot better than I would have in that situation!

Loyalty is a strong theme throughout the book, and we see it in many different ways. Set in a rural town, it reminded me much of the town where I grew up. Kids were free to roam around the neighborhood after dark, and it was a simpler time. Really, I just loved everything about this novel. Nov 19, Margaret Lesh rated it it was amazing Shelves: Summer on Fire pulled me in from the start.

This coming-of-age story surrounds three friends—Zach, Jeff, and Arnie—following the consequences of an accident; the careless flicking of a cigarette butt, burning the barn they hang out in to the ground. The careless act sets off a string of unintended consequences leading to a murder investigation.

Summer On Fire Lyrics

The interacti Summer on Fire pulled me in from the start. The interaction of the three friends felt real to me, down to their dialogue—the teasing and put-downs that teen boys so often engage in. It flowed well and felt natural.

Category: Summer on Fire

Also, the characters, including the adults, felt well defined, down to their quirks and idiosyncrasies. I felt like I was given a good picture as the reader of the events taking place. The action moved at a good pace, keeping me turning the pages. I am definitely a fan and look forward to his next book. Nov 17, Tobin Elliott rated it really liked it Shelves: I've only heard snippets of Kevin Craig's writing prior to this novel, having heard them in Muskoka Novel Marathon sessions, etc.

So, while I figured I'd enjoy his writing, I wasn't sure how he put together a longer form story and if it would be a satisfying read. The dude can write. Like Connie said in her review, for whatever reason, I kept flashing to Stephen King's novella, The Body the basis for the Stand By Me movie even though this is set firmly in the 80s and in Canada. And I've only heard snippets of Kevin Craig's writing prior to this novel, having heard them in Muskoka Novel Marathon sessions, etc.

And yet, while writing in his own style and with a storyline that's completely different, he channels that vibe. I think it's the relationships between Zach and Jeff and Arnie, as well as the older siblings Sherry and Mark. Craig has a solid ear for teenage dialogue, as well as teenage angst. He also creates some fascinating adult characters, with Mrs. Halverston absolutely chewing up the scenery in every page she appears on. Is it a perfect book? Hell, is any book perfect?

There was a couple of times where I found the characters forgot old feuds a little quickly, and, though I despised Jeff's father, he seemed a little one-dimensionally bad. I would have liked to have seen some small redeeming spark. But these are minor quibbles. Craig packed a lot into pages, and gave us a solid story about a summer of fire. Sep 14, J. Toner rated it it was amazing. This is a lively book for Young Adults, featuring three Canadian boys, their families, and a mysterious house fire. On the one hand, they plotted their way out of trouble like seasoned veterans, on the other they seemed to cry at the drop of a hat.

This is my only quibble and I am a notorious quibbler. The book is beautifully crafted and well written, with several memorable characters, distinctive sp This is a lively book for Young Adults, featuring three Canadian boys, their families, and a mysterious house fire. The book is beautifully crafted and well written, with several memorable characters, distinctive speech patterns, and fascinating local idiom.

I learned a few new words, like 'muumuu' and 'dooryard'. So many books nowadays try to be clever, flashing back and forth between the past and the present or switching point of view. I usually end up being confused by these. Craig keeps things simple, telling the story in a straightforward linear style Also, most of the books I read are too long; a few are too short. This one is just right. Why do I feel like Goldilocks all of a sudden? You're the most handsome faggot I know I'm giving up all this cruising, camping, carrying on One boy with smooth pale skin A sweet dainty blond in a girl's bathing suit I'm not used to it Are you going to leave with me at 6 o'clock or not?

They both pull their trunks down to their knees Many desire more experiences. Romance does not fit in with wholesale promiscuity Paperback , pages. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about A Summer on Fire Island , please sign up. Be the first to ask a question about A Summer on Fire Island. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Feb 25, Adam Dunn rated it it was amazing Shelves: A fantastic piece of gay history, not to be missed by the gay history buff.

Think of this more as a non-fiction title, although there are fiction elements. It perfectly paints a picture of a summer vacation on fire island in the mid 60's. I love this kind of gay history stuff and there's details in here that blew my mind. The book starts out describing how to get to the Island from New York City, what kind of things you'll find there, and goes in to the people, the parties, the bars.

The men were A fantastic piece of gay history, not to be missed by the gay history buff. The men were not allowed to dance together, to even LOOK at each other while they were dancing, so there would be 40 men in a line dancing, doing the Hulley-Gulley or the Madison. Really, the book gets five stars for that description alone. The book continues with photos from the period, to descriptions of the cruisey Meat Rack and the raids by police, along with what to expect when arrested.

The book ends with a call for tolerance of homosexuals. The fictional aspect helps flesh out the story and makes it live. This book is a perfect time capsule of life on Fire Island and is required for any gay history buff. View all 7 comments. Apr 10, Don Bradshaw rated it liked it.

I was too young to make it to Fire Island in it's heyday. In all sadness, there is joy. This is what I attempt to write in my novels. I love to see the crack…because without it the beauty would not get in. Okay, so I never actually met him…but I feel as though I know him intimately. I finally dipped into this love for one of my forthcoming YA novels. Did you know that many of the phrases we use every single day come from the man?

How many times do you say the following phrases? If you invoke them, you are invoking Shakespeare! He certainly has achieved world domination in the English language phrasebook. Just letting them go and watching them fly! Selling balloons for a living. You play with words. You sell word balloons. You HAVE the awesome job. Sometimes I forget how fortunate I am. I get to do this thing I love to do.

I play with words. I sit on the porch swing and watch them fly. I take a balloon and I go sailing.

Posts navigation

It is available through most major online booksellers, both as an ebook and a print book. He is the friend who outwardly appears to be the most together. But he is also, in a way, the weakest link. Everybody knows the guy you want to be when you watch the movie Stand By Me is Chris Chambers…the coolest of the cool played by River Phoenix. My Chris Chambers in this story is Jeff Barsell. Zach was broken in the most subtle way of all of my main characters. He wants to please everyone and he struggles with his moral compass.

He wants to do the right thing but he also wants to remain loyal to his friends. Jeff Barsell is the real broken hero of this story. Jeff has a brother who bullies him and a father who beats him. He adores his mother. When the boys accidentally set a barn on fire, the stage is set for a much darker revelation. The house beside the barn goes up in flames…and with it, the body of the old man who lived there.

From there, we get to see the mettle of these three boys as they attempt to wiggle out of their predicament. Sebastian comes from a broken family. Teal becomes his saviour, but the distance between them is vast as Teal attempts to hide a truth from the young boy who worships him. This one takes place in The Beaches in Toronto…in the s. Sebastian is abused, neglected, and without a childhood to speak of. He is someone who should not be able to get up…but getting up is all he ever wants to do.

• Fascinating Ohio: A Year of Buckeye People, Places, Pop Culture and History
• Grade 5
• Holman QuickSource Guide to Understanding Jesus
• Passion and Reason: Making Sense of Our Emotions
• Planning and Enabling Learning in the Lifelong Learning Sector (Further Education and Skills)
• Wills and Trusts Kit For Dummies
• New Word-Analysis Or, School Etymology of English Derivative Words