All Summer Long
#1 of 3 in Eagle Rock Series
What’s inside...
A coming-of-age middle-grade graphic novel about summer and friendships, written and illustrated by the Eisner Award–winning and New York Times–bestselling Hope Larson. Thirteen-year-old Bina has a long summer ahead of her. She and her best friend, Austin, usually do everything together, but he's off to soccer camp for a month, and he's been acting kind of weird lately anyway. So it's up to Bina to see how much fun she can have on her own. At first it's a lot of guitar playing, boredom, and bad TV, but things look up when she finds an unlikely companion in Austin's older sister, who enjoys music just as much as Bina. But then Austin comes home from camp, and he's acting even weirder than when he left. How Bina and Austin rise above their growing pains and reestablish their friendship and respect for their differences makes for a touching and funny coming-of-age story.
Character compass
Charlie
Jae Hwa Lee
Bina
Regina
Davey
Austin
Discussion points
What did you think about Bina's relationship with her friend Austin? How did it change throughout the story?
Bina explored new interests over the summer. What are some new things you'd like to try?
How did music play a role in Bina’s summer? What are some of your favorite songs that you associate with specific memories or feelings?
Bina faced challenges but also grew a lot over the summer. Can you think of a challenge you faced and what you learned from it?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the book by relating to their own experiences. Ask them about their friendships and how they evolve. Discuss the value of exploring new interests and how they can be a source of growth and joy. Share your favorite music with each other and discuss what memories or emotions they evoke. Reflect together on past challenges and the lessons learned from those experiences, reinforcing resilience and personal growth.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Value of friendship
Explanation: Throughout 'All Summer Long', the protagonist navigates the complexities of evolving friendships during the transition from childhood to adolescence. The story highlights maintaining old friendships while being open to new ones.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to value and nurture their relationships, understanding that friendships can change and grow over time.
Example Lesson: Exploring personal interests
Explanation: The main character discovers and pursues her passion for music, which fills her summer with purpose and joy. This demonstrates the importance of exploring one’s own interests and talents.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to identify and engage in activities they are passionate about, which can lead to developing new skills and increased self-confidence.
Example Lesson: Dealing with change
Explanation: As characters in the book undergo personal changes, the story portrays how adaptability is crucial. It shows that embracing change can lead to positive outcomes, even if it's initially uncomfortable.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be adaptable and embrace the changes in their lives, such as moving to a new place or adjusting to a new school environment, with a positive mindset.
Example Lesson: Understanding different perspectives
Explanation: The book presents situations where characters learn to see things from another person’s point of view, fostering empathy and better communication.
Real-World Application: Children can use this understanding to improve their interactions and relationships by considering others' feelings and viewpoints.