Review By: Stephanie Kenific
Published: 2022
Genre(s): Middle Grade Fiction, Realistic
Audience: Grades 4 to 8
Content Warnings: None
Goodreads Link: Manatee Summer
Publisher’s Summary:
Peter and his best friend, Tommy, have a goal for their last summer before middle school: finish their Discovery Journal, a catalog of the wildlife around their Florida town. When they spot a manatee in a canal, Peter knows they’ve found something special–and when the manatee is injured by a boat, something to protect!
As Peter joins the fight to save Florida manatees, he also finds himself taking care of his ailing grandfather and facing an unwelcome surprise that jeopardizes his friendship with Tommy. Soon Peter is adrift, navigating shifting tides and realizing that he has as much to discover about himself as he does about the world around him.
Review:
Manatee Summer is about Peter’s summer before entering middle school. At first, it seems like the summer will be fantastic—his grandpa has moved in with him and his mom, and Peter plans to spend his days exploring nature with his best friend Tommy. The two even have a magical encounter with a manatee, which they record in their Discovery Journal. But things quickly shift. Peter notices his grandfather’s dementia progressing, Zoey the manatee is seriously injured by a speed boat, and Tommy’s family announces a sudden move to Michigan.
Although the reviewer realized the book skews young for a high school audience, they enjoyed the story and plan to recommend it to a middle school librarian. The emotional core of the novel stands out: Peter’s love for his grandfather and his grief over losing daily access to his best friend feel real and deeply relatable. The story addresses these emotions with care, showing Peter’s attempts to shoulder too much responsibility before slowly learning healthier ways to cope.
The book also includes an activist thread. Peter becomes passionate about protecting manatees and even works up the courage to address the local boating society. While not an ideal fit for a high school collection due to its younger tone, the reviewer believes this heartfelt, nature centered story is a strong choice for middle grade readers.
