Summer Days, Starry Nights
Ages 10+
It's 1962, and thirteen-year-old Reenie Starr dreams of the day she can run Sandy Shores, her family’s summer resort. One day, Reenie's mother announces that she thinks the resort could use some entertainment. She invites Gwen, her best friend's almost-grown daughter, to come and teach a dance class. Although Gwen seems sad and remote, Reenie's thrilled to have her there.
As Reenie starts to learn more about the world beyond Sandy Shores, she comes up with a plan that could really put it on the map. She also finds herself caught between the simpler world of her childhood and all of the wonderful new discoveries (boys) and heartaches (boys) that growing up can bring. Reenie thought she wanted Sandy Shores to never change, but after this summer nothing will ever be the same again.
Notable Honors
Red Maple Finalist 2015
BEST Books for Kids and Teens, STARRED selection 2013
OLA Best Bets for Children 2013
Buy Now
What People Are Saying
“Vikki VanSickle beautifully captures the novel’s time and place. Reenie’s affection shines through the lush descriptions of the resort and its surroundings. It’s hard not to fall in love with Reenie’s favourite place. And it’s just as hard not to fall in love with Reenie.”
— Quill & Quire
“VanSickle taps into ’60s culture lightly and effectively, celebrating the bodily freedom of dance while she tracks Reenie’s developing self-knowledge and comfort with her small town, family resort setting.”
— Toronto Star
“…Great escapist reading, perfectly capturing the mood of summer vacation and the ups and downs a budding teenage girl experiences as she yearns to fit in…a lively, well-written story for ages 10 to 14. ”